Tent Furniture, 39 



which he had to pay eight dollars a bottle. Sugar and some 

 lemons were procured also, and we could treat our guests 

 with a punch which found immense favour with them, though 

 it was a most abominable, abundantly watered stuff. We were, 

 however, as merry and happy as could be. 



After a time, in January, 1863, we received orders to march 

 to Aquaia Creek, where a good number of troops were assem- 

 bled. The march there was very difficult and disagreeable, 

 for the roads were, as mentioned before, beyond description. 

 The soldiers sunk up to their knees in the mud, and the 

 waggons and'guns were often not to be moved by a whole herd 

 of horses or mules. 



This state of the roads made war nearly impossible for both 

 parties, and we expected that we should remain a good while, 

 perhaps the whole winter, at Aquaia Creek, and arranged oui- 

 selves accordingly. Salm procured a large hospital tent, which 

 was decorated very tastefully and even gorgeously ; for amongst 

 •the soldiers of his regiment were workmen of all trades ; uphol- 

 sterers, carpenters, &c. The tent was made less transparent 

 by doubling and decorating it with white and red woollen 

 damask, arranged in festoons, between which were fastened 

 flags. The board floor was covered with a carpet, and our. 

 salon was provided with a splendid sofa, which the soldiers had 

 very skilfully made. Though the cushions were only straw, 

 they were well made, and covered with damask. The admi- 

 ration of everybody was, however, a large mirror which Salm, 

 with great trouble, had procured from a neighbouring village, 

 imagining that no lady could be happy without a looking-glass. 

 I had, however, little need of it, as my toilet in the field was 

 as simple as possible. I had a black and a grey riding dress 

 — I must have a change, as we not rarely got drenched in our 

 excursions on horseback — and two uniform-like costumes, 

 which I adopted for the whole war-time in the field, consisting 

 of a petticoat falling to my ankles, and a tight-fitting jacket, 

 both of cloth. 



Our bedroom looked also splendid ; for the soldiers had 

 made of boards a large bedstejid, and provided it with a straw 

 mattress, over which was spread a buffalo robe, and another, 

 together with blankets, served as a coverlet. Over our iieads 

 arched a canopy, decorated with white and red damask, and 

 the whole looked quite grand. 



