Cordial Reception in Stevenson. 95 



would arrive on the 23rd in Stevenson, and that he expected 

 to find us all there, I was exceedinijly glad and in the best of 

 humours, for I was to see again my dear husband after a time 

 full of danger. It was good that I received the news of the 

 battles fought after they were over, and together with that of 

 Salm's safety, or I would have felt great anxiety. 



We were received in Stevenson most cordially. Steedman 

 and Salm looked more like robbers than officers, for they had 

 gone through a hard time, and had no leisure to think of their 

 toilet. Their beards were more than a week old, and their 

 uniforms covered with mud and torn to rags. 



Salm was beaming with happiness, not alone on account of 

 our meeting, but because he at last had had fighting to his 

 heart's content, and an opportunity of distinguishing himself 

 During the battles Steedman had given him a command, and 

 could not find words jnough to praise his bravery and good 

 behaviour. He regretted that decorations were not distributed 

 in America, for above all Salm would have deserved being 

 distinguished by such a decoration. He said, however, that 

 he would take care to place him in conimand of a brigade, 

 and cause General Thomas to recommend him for promotion. 

 We could not stay in Stevenson, and returned in the afternoon 

 to Bridgeport, feeling extremely proud and happy. 



The weather remained beautiful for several days, and it was 

 as warm as in spring. To celebrate Christmas and the victo- 

 ries, we dressed out our hou?;e and its verandah with holly, and 

 the tame blue-birds came picking the red berries. Corvin 

 with some men went into the wood for mistletoe, which was 

 found there in such luxuriance as I have not seen anywhere. 

 They brought home one bush that was at least four feet in 

 diameter, and its berries were as large as white currants. We 

 passed a very merry Christmas Eve at Gilford's, in Bridgeport, 

 who gave us a splendid supper. Corvin brewed several gallons 

 of much appreciated whisky punch, and I am sure the house 

 of the worthy clergyman had never before had a merrier night. 

 There was a piano, and we had a good deal of singing and 

 dancing, and games of every kind. 



On Christmas Day we arranged a similar festival in our 

 quarters ; in short, we had a nice time, and were as happy as 

 could be. 



Tne road being free now, Mrs. Corvin and her husband pre- 



