"Base ball" was spreading in popularity in the mid-1800's, including among the soldiers at Fort Jefferson, where the large grassy parade ground inside the fort made an ideal playing field. But four days after Private James Forsythe became the first death in the fort's 1867 yellow fever epidemic, Major Valentine H. Stone, the Post Commander, issued the following order:

Fort Jefferson, Fla
August 26, 1867

The Post Surgeon having recommended that as the sickly season of the year is now approaching, that the Enlisted Men of the Command should go in the sunshine as seldom as practicable, all drill will therefore for the present be suspended. Base ball playing will cease and everyone is enjoined to keep in the shade as much as possible.

By order of Brev. Maj. Val H. Stone

Paul Roemer
1st Lt., 5th NY Artillery
Post Adjutant