Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-12-05


 How TO HAVE w ARM ENT-The cor respondent of the Prov idence Press, writ ing from the second Rhode Island regi. ment's camp. gives the following useful ac- count of the manner in which that regi- mcnt has prote, ted itself from cold and frost while in tents: -.-
 We have been getting for few nights quite d touch of the weather; indeed, the cold has pinrhed us quite smartly, so that we not only feel the need of warmer blank cts and more of them, but of good fies also. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the need of protection against the sulden cold has set the inventive wits of our Yan- kee soldiers to work in good earnest A plan was soon hit upon which answers the pnrpo,e most perfe, tly. This i, desc,ip- ton of it. A hole dug in the centre of tie tent. about two feet in depth and diameter. | This is walled with stones laid in soft clay, and covered at the top, with the exception of a small aperture for the introduction of flel. For ths apperature must be close fitting door or cover, which can be opened and closed at pleasure.
 ! Across one side of the tent trench is laid and covered with wood and earth. ] through which the cold air is conveyed freely 10 the bottom part of this snbterr h. ein fireplace From the top of the same. and across the opposite side of the tent. is another trench inlAid and carefully covered with stone and earth, though which the smoke and surplus heat is carried of. 1 This is the whole machine The merits of 1t are obvious. It is universally practicable. 1 1t can be introduced easily into any tent or 1 dwelling The economy of it--it costs only few hours work for three or four men, The convenience of it-being entirely un. 1 fer ground, 1t takes mp none of the pre- cious room of our small tents. The utility { of it--it dries and warns the earth within, and even beyond the entire circuit of the tent, and thus prevents those damp, cold, eXhalatons from the earth. which are prob ably the chief cause of i'll health among the soldiers. The tents are thus also fur nished with q moist and genial atmosphere, the heat of which can be easily increased so as to meet the exigencies of the coldest part 1 of the season.
 To realize the importance of this vou must remember that the walls of our houses h'O "4t'g IHlu IduNahei Chat tIiey are So rcdQs | fly penetrated by cold, or heat, or moisture. that the atmosphere within follows rapidly the changes in the condition of the atmos- phere without. Indeed, so far as this is concerned, there is but very little differ cnce between living under the tents and in l the open air. Without some contrivance. what. therefore, could persons do, who uh- | ii within q short time, have been accustom- ' eI to live in close and warm houses? had rather, 1t is tlne take my chance tor long and healthy life in the open air. both by | lay and by night, than in close room, and upon the bare earth rather than upon ~ooIen carpets; but then wisdom mnst be exercised and time must be taken for gradual cha ge. The etfects of this eyp,- dient npon tn regiment are easily traced.
 The cases of illness from severe colds and 1 intermittent or bilious levers. which have recently sprung up among us, gre, believe, Ill Tn the tents not thus protected. It must bo aIso III part, at least. owing to this arrangement that onr oncampmcnt> still continues SO heaithy. while form, ofsickness Incldental to these cold snaps are pretail- tng III cncampnents near to us.