Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1878 — "In the Valley of Death." [ARTICLE]

"In the Valley of Death."

Mr. J. C. Tucker, of Chicago, who, taking his life in his hands, ventured into the very jaws of death, writes as follows from Holly Springs, Miss.: When I left Chicago one week ago I firmly expected to go in a few* days where the fight was the thickest, and I have not been disappointed. I am in the “Valley of Death,” and the prospect of any of us escaping is not very flattering. Upon my arrival here yesterday from New Orleans with an experienced physician and a corps of white nurses, we found everything in utter confusion, and the wildest state of excitement prevailed. I cannot begin to portray in words the condition of affairs here. I served through the Peninsula campaign with McClellan, and there became accustomed to scenes of excitement and death; but what I witnessed yesterday and to-day in this town, in the way of black vomit, fever and delirium, by far surpasses all former experience. In the first place we were landed on the railroad some two miles from town, as the train would not stop at the depot lest by so doing ft would not be allowed to stop at other towns where no fever existed. We got to town as best we could. Upon reaching town we found but two members of the Howard Association left, the others being either sick or dead. They, Cols. Walter and Holland, worn out with work and loss of sleep, grasped our hands with an earnest, heartfelt “ God bless you for coming.” When I told them I was an humble representative of Chicago, and proposed remaining with them till the end, they were not slow in manifesting their feelings of gratitude to the Northern people for so promptly coming to their aid.

I found every store, bank, and hotel closed. Everybody looked like death, all save 600 out of 3,500 having fled, and these were either sick or at the bedside of friends. Only two of the doctors were able for duty. With great difficulty we found a little to eat Prompt action and system were found necessary. I was at once placed in charge of a large hotel where a lady had died the day before, and which was now deserted, to be occupied as a supply depot and hotel for nurses and others. We imme-

diately sent into the country for eggs, butter, chickens, etc , procured a force of colored servants, thoroughly disinfected the building, and now we are feeding over 100 people, and are issuing tdf the sick what little we have, of champagne, wine, beef-tea, etc. Another death in our hotel to-day—-genuine black vomit, and the patient conscious to within ten minutes of his death. I was at his bedside while he wa* dying, my clothing having been spaankled with carbolic acid and I inhaling'trom my handkerchief. He died in coavulsions. I am now obliged to write in a hurry, as I have really more work that I can attend to. We can herdly get negro servants at the rate of $3 per day. They will not go into a room where there has been a death at any price.- Bodies are buried in a half hour after the breath has left them.