In this letter to Dr. James Gower, William Russell (then near Nashville) reports that during his visit to Tennessee he has seen disease [cholera] in its most agonizing form and the minister of death in his blackest habiliments. As a result of this outbreak, the people are panicked and Russell expects a perfect stampede. He goes on to report on former President Polk's baptism, death, and burial. Russell believes that there is certainly not one patriotic bosom that does not heave with emotions of deep sorrow, when they are conscious of the irreparable loss, the whole united Republic has sustained by the death of that statesman and martyred patriot. Russell closes by asking his cousin for news from home.