The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-01
How the Confederate Soldier
Kept House and Made Bed.
AN INTERESTING CHAPTER
Domestic Economy of the Soldier Di-
scribed by Coroner Taylor-Remi-
niscences and Anecdotes
OF the War.
BY DR.. WILLIAM II. TAYLOR.
Surgeon Of the 18th Regiment Of vir.
ginia Infantry,

Surgeon Of the 18th Regiment Of Vir-
ginia Infantry
believe that. as yet, no one has
thought 1t worth while to compile
systematic account OF what may be term
ed the domestic economy OF the soldier
IN the field; or. in other words. Of how
he keeps house. 1t Is true that there
Is an abundance OF fragmentary sta.o-
ments regarding his methods under spe-
cial circumstances or on some particular
son; but, SO far as know, we no..
where have connected description
whose express purpose is to tell how he
provides for his dwelling, for his furni-
ture, for mis- table, for his clothing, Tor
Ills bed and for the multitude OF condi-
tons which, In civil lite, are the ee-
ments of the humblest sort Of housekeep-
Ing. The subject is extensive and COM
prehensive, more SO than, at first slgAt,
It would appear TO be, and 1t Is capable
of being maze interesting by approp. late
treatment | am not myself quailllad
for the work, but / suggest 1t with the
hope that some one. who is able and vii
ing may undertake 1t. Nevertheless, as
slight contribution, offer the fol-
lowing account of how we Con. ederate
soldiers used to put ourselves to bed.
A precept which the soldier specify
learns. or. at any rate, speedily has
taught him. Is TO dispense with SUPER
flu ties. This species of self.denial is, as
Is we'll known, one of the most valued
features of various systems OF phllCso-
ply and Is much preached among civ.l.a.a
though little practiced by them. The
genuine cxemplars of 1t are soldiers, not.
no indeed. because hey are convinced
of its eminent moral worth and. beauty.
but because they cannot help themse yes.
Accordingly with these phi losophers.
even a bed Is supertiuity and they are
able to do without
THE SOLDIERS BED.
Soldiers in the field do not keep very
regular hours. Sometimes they sleep, like
other people, at night; sometimes during
the day, not ntreauently they sic y
neither during the night nor day. In fact,
for sleeping, as for whatever else they
may have to do, all tines and Seasons
are alike to thenl-it is done when and
no wthey caqi Still. soldiers are endpw-
ed-in some. inStances'yery richly endowed
with the trailties Of human beings in
general, and are thus very susceptible
to comfortable surroundings, and ttey
are perfectly willing to deposit the car
cases In civilized beds when they can
get them. These, however. are not read
fly to be had in the field and there the
warriors are obliged to put up with such
beds as ,4ey may be able to improvise,
these being. for the most part, dew ces
which civilian would at once pronounce
to be no beus at all.
In our permanent camps, especially
where huts had been built. very adj
,nirab!e beds We're fitted up. some OF
which We're. in fact. quite as good as the
box bed provided for the dog of well
regulated family. In these camps, wher
there was liability OF sudden outbreak
at any time OF firing from the confront
ing enemy. as, for example. was the case
on the lines between Richmond and
Petersburg, 1t was generally considered
to be conducive TO longevity to sleep in
hole In the ground, Fastidious persons
with whom, perhaps, should class my
self. while retaining the hole built thei
beds along its upper border, taking carr
TO have substantial headboard con
Eisttng OF good, thick log. This lol
was set parallel with the enemys line
and was meant as n receiver OF bulle,
straying that way.
But 1t was when on the march tina
comfortable beds. while most longed 70,
were hardest to be got. well renem
Der my ow5 first night out. We hn
long been stationed near Centeryille. til
war was new. supplies We're plentiful an
easily procured. and we had surrounds
ourselves with comforts and convenience
which enabled us 10 lead life we after
wards Looked back 10 MS one almost
Capuan luxury. Suddenly we were re
auired 70 abandon this and. ms 1t proved
to abondon 1t forever. Departing, we nj
rived at sunset at n piece of woods. ~
which we We're marched and where "
were ordered 10 pass the night, Th
woods We're dense with sanlings and III
dererowth--so donse. indeed, MS to seer
TO noYices almost Uncomfortable. This
The worst ! can SAY Of II, and, later o,
slch campng-ground would not IN,
given me q moments dsquetudc; bt
now ] thought this WAS us horrible
sleeping-plpce as malice itself could ha'
picked out IN all TINT region. In trut
II was an impracticabic place for me;gal
spent miserable night aftermath
between my bed in the midst OF the sal
lings and villanously smoking In
which other sufferers had lighted la,
by. where We sought comfort by round
beratins nur commander for his ign
rance Of the very rudiments OF militia
science, and by wondering what OF
mothers would say II they knew of Ii
barbNrltles being peTpetrated On tht
tender offspring.
GOOD CAMPS
Agreeable camping places were ho
svsr. not infrequent. Yet our experlen
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