The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-11
IN WHITE
QUARTERS
Confederate Soldier Life in
Them Described.
Hardshps Of the Last Years Of the
Struggled Collection Of Useful
Confederate Household
Recipes, Etc.

Confederate Household
Recipes. Etc.
written for The Times Dispatch by "A
Rebel.O
PART II.
The pickets of the opposing armies
were not always belligerent. even when
the two lines were very near each other,
and at times the men from each side
would meet on halfway grounds, have
a pleasant chat and exchange, coffee,
tobacco, etc. All this, however. was
contrary 10 orders, and these interviews
had to be stolen. On one occasion the
officer IN command Of our line threat
ened to open the artillery on any such
oonclave, which Put a stop to it for a
while. 1t was all wrong, no doubt. but
never heard of important information be-
ing given by either side on such occa-
sions. War was the last thing these
soldiers wished to talk about.
During an active campaign we would
Song for the quiet and rest of winter
Quarters. and then. on the contrary,
camp life during the cold season fire.
uuently became monotonous, and Our
Physical condition was not so good as
when we were almost constantly on the
move Our first winters sojourn in
cabins produced more sickness than all
the marching and other active duty COM
bined: in fact, when we broke camp
that spring q march Of ten miles would
have used US up. Afterwards thirty or
thirty-five miles a day was more easily
accomplished. But for the general indis-
posluon mentioned, the first winter would
have been quite an enjoyable season.
Our cabins were commodious ui.d COM
Portable, rauons abundant, and constantly
supplemented by boxes Of luXurcs from
home We also had good clothing for
body and bed, besides books. magazines
and newspapers with which to while
sway our leisure hours. We did not
properly appreciate those comforts then.
but many times afterwards during that
memorable four years we would have
priced such privileges Fortunately, how
ever, real priyation and hardship did NOT
come on us all at once. AS times be-
came worse We gradually got uccus.
toned 10 them
RECRUITS.
After a while our ranks, becoming thin
had to be filled up with recruits, and /,
frequently afforded the old soldiers con
siderable amusement TO watch these new
arrivals They. thinking they knew al
about It," had provided themselves will
every convenience and comfort Theil
clothing was nice and trim and in abllnd
ance. They brought great cotton com
forts to sleep on and under. Thor new
knapsacks were filled with everything
that loving hearts could devise, including
the never-f forgotten budget Of thread
needles. buttons, etc Many brough
backing and brushes and how their ncV
shoes did shine. until their first marcl
or battle. They always brought, too, ;
goodly supply Of creature comforts. boil
solid and liquid and were, therefore, yer.
desirable mess mates How we did en-
Joy a smoke out of the gorgeous well
filled tobacco pouches. which they neYe
failed to bring, particularly Just ate
wrestling with piece Of soggy govern
mcnt plug.
Well, experience had taught us man,
things and new recruits We're destined 1
go through the same school. After thei
first long march through the rain the
did not present the appearance of hay
Ing just arrived from home. The hi
hed-comforts had become saturated wit
water and weighed about "A ton eaci
and their shoes didn't shine worth
cent
Poor fellows. trouble had come upo
them suddenly, but in most cases the
stood II mapfuly, and as soldering wa
somewhat different from what It ha
been at the beginning of tho war, they &c
their experience more in a lump. Abor
one active campaign generally opene
their eyes and made the mveteralis, fc
among our best soldiers were many {
those who waited till the second GA
before taking up arms Not so Wit
the conscripts and substitutes, who wei
sim later in going to the front The
rarely ever "panned out much
THE TOWN BOY.
When our army was organized at Il
outbreak Of the war, II was thought !
many that the country boy would
able 10 stand, the hardship and rous
living much better than his city brothe
but that proved to be an erroneous ide
The former had been brought UP
many cases TO hard manual labor, but h
habits We're more regular II he arc
at or before daylight, lie likewise 1--WE
TO bed with the chickens" and. when
was forced TO get up at all times of Il
night to go ON guard or picket or
march, II told on him. The town boy
the contrary had been accustomed
keeping late hours and perhaps worse al
those duties did not fail so hard on hi
In regular camp, he did not care To
tire before midnight, but he did hate
get up early in the morning, That "
where the country lad had the adyanta,
Neither could our city-DrSd soldier {
wood so scientifically as his country CO.
rade. but he managed 10 hack away
some purpose, even IL he did gan"
rural friends sharp axe, He could e
a go FIeg