Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 243, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1918 — HUNDREDS DYING AT CAMP TAYLOR [ARTICLE]

HUNDREDS DYING AT CAMP TAYLOR

“LEFTY” WRITES OF CONDITIONS AS HE FINDS THEM IN CAMP. 7th Co., Dev. Bn. No. 2, Camp Zachary Taylor, Ky., October 13, 1918. Dear Folks:— . Suppose you have been wondering about ime and. If I have been nipped by the ‘flu’ germ. Well, so far I have escaped and trust that I shajl continue to be so fortunate. The disease is raging here the same as it is in other places, and during the past two weeks the number of deaths has mounted to a evry high figure and shows no signs, of abating; although the ,ph ysi cl ana are working heroically night and day to stem the tide. Qn Wednesday there were fifty-eight deaths, Thursday saw sixty* four more added to the list, and the toll for the twenty-four hours ending Friday night was sixty-eight. Last night, Saturday, there were sixty-six more who succumbed, or a total of 256 for the ninety-six hours, besides the numerous deaths whioh occurred in Louisville proper. Saw by the paper that Dr Washburn is now at Camp Dodge, and that conditions there are similar to those here, and I know what he is up against and how hard he is working. The organization I am now in is the healthiest in camp according to statistics recently Issued. Of a total of 2,500 men but three deaths have occurred and but eight then have been sent to the hospital. In the 3rd battalion, where I was formerly, the death list is appalling and hundreds are in the hospitals. A quarantine has been placed on the camp and but ten per cent, of the enlisted personnel is granted -passes to the city, and this only on urgent business. Htow long the lid will remain on is a matter of conjecture, and it may be weeks before the disease has been sufficiently checked as to permit conditions to again become normal as regards pass privileges. Well, about two weeks ago we moved again, (that’s a pretty common occurrence down here) due to the fact that we had to give up the barracks we were in that they might be used as temporary hospitals. When we arrived at our_new home we found that we were to be quartered in tents far on the other side of the camp. Really like it better than being inside, except for the water conditions which are rather inconvenient. Outside of this drawback everything is fine and it reminds me of the days when I used to soldier under Colonel H'ealey. Two more weeks and I shall have finished six months in this camp, which, according to a recent War Department ruling, is the maximum time that any man should be kept in the same canton-, ment. Nine hundred members of the Depot Brigade cadres are scheduled to leave following the lifting of the quarantine restrictions. There are 2,880 cadre men in the brigade, so one stands one chance in three of getting away from here. Don’t know whether I shall be so fortunate as to be one of the lucky ones or not, but the chances are against it as there are many here who have been in the camp ever, since it started and it is not at all improbable they will be given the preference.' The men who leave, are to be prepared for overseas duty immediately. The War Department ruling also adds that at the end of each trwo months an additional number of ■cadre men must be sent away, so it may be that December will find me ready for overseas, and I shall certainly lxglad of the opportunity to see a little active service. The other morning the" Captain asked me if I wished to go with him, and when I asked him where, he\said “To Stithton, Ky.” Sure, I went. We made the trip by automobile with two other officers and $20,000. The sight or the latter made me groggy. The camp at Stithton is about thirty-five miles from Taylor. I was amazed at its size as it has only been under the process of construction for the past few weeks. At present there are thousands of carpenters engaged in construction work, and there are now enough barracks to house 45,000 men. When completed it will be the largest cantonment in America and will care for approximately 75,000 mon. It is much different from this camp and is Inhabited by artillery then entirely. It was the first signs of soldiering I have seen since I first put on the uniform, that is, as far as my meagre knowledge of soldiering goes. Sure was a wonderful sight to see the long lines of heavy artillery passing down the road. The soldiers looked like vetera’-s and I later learned that such was the case. Presume they are held here t< train the recruits. At the present time there are quite 'a number of young fellows here who have seen active service across the way and they, too, are aiding in instructing the men. Just received the paper and read the letter of Wood Spitler with much relish-. Imagine he is having some wonderful experiences. Believe he is the only Jasper county soldier in Russia, isn't h< - Makes one feel’ foolish to be back here in Camp Taylor when so many of the others are across; but maybe our chance will come later. Suppose they will send us over there to “police up” after it is over. Suppose Colonel Healey is the happiest individual on earth now that he has the opportunity of taking his regiment into active service. His articles in the paper have been very interesting, and when he has added some active service to his military career he certainly will have a lot to write about. My commanding officer is Lt. S. D. Jackson, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. He is a brilliant young fellow, a splendid officer and a graduate of the Indiana Law school. He has several Jn Rensselaer, so he tells me. In this company there are 781 negroes, real black boys from the Carolinas, Mississippi, Alabama and other southern states. There are four officers in the company (whites) and seven white non-commissioned officers, so you see we have it much easier than if we were in a white outfit. We are only on special duty, however, and are subject to being sent back to our company at any time. Wish some of the fellows at home could see .these black boys just after pay day. With their money In one hand it is only natural that the other should be holding yes, .you guessed it, a set of dice. Then they are ready for all comers. Of course. It is against army regulations but there seems no way to stop it as it is said that a colored fellow can shoot dice on a rope. Have seen games here for mighty high stakes, wathln a short time after they have received their,, pay about all pome of them have left t» look forward to is the next pay day. The other evening we saw a game where two men were lying fiat on the ground, half of their bodies protruding from the tent. They were so Jntent upon their game that they -failed to notice that the tent was almost half way down. They have more excuses to make when caught than Kaiser Bill had when he failed to head his army into Paris April 1. They also have Annan lais looking like a selling plater. However, thdy are interesting characters but poor soldiers. Met the 814 (colored) marching down

the road the other day with their overseas equipment. They were on their way to the train which was to take them east preparatory to their embarking for France. They were certainly a magnificent group and no doubt wii make a name for themselves when they get into action. ■ Was glad to learn that Fred Hamilton’s wounds were not as serious as first reported and that he will soon be able to be out again. -Wrote him a. some time ago but suppose he did not get it as I sent i t to France instead of to England. x Wihile in town last night the newspapers came out with extras telling.of Germany’s acceptance of the Presfdent’s peace proposals. Naturally, it caused a great deal of excitement there, but when I reached camp found that ft had caused but little stir. Perhaps Germany is sincere and perhaps she is not. ' Peace, however, does not seem very far distant. Would have beep home for five; days last week but have as yet not received my September pay. so could not Mme. Don’t suppose I shall receive it for a couple of weeks as I will receive it by check. Being on special duty I did not get to sign the company pay roll. Well, my candle is getting low, so will close with the promise to write ofteper in the future. Lots of love, . HOWARD B. CLARK.,