Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/330

 324 Southern Historical Society Papers.

tling of tin cans, coffee-pot, skillet, and canteens carried on her back. When any of the men were sick they got milk, which, to a soldier, was nectar. When on the march I would fill my canteen early in the morning with milk for the day's ride, and by 10 o'clock I had butter and buttermilk. By dipping the canteen into a branch now and then the milk was kept cool. These canteens were all covered with thick woollen cloth, and keeping it wet, evaporation was very active, and resulted in cooling the contents. This has been the eastern plan many centuries for cooling their wines, etc. I don't think in one year after the war began I saw a Confederate soldier who had not a Yankee canteen. Our northern friends sup- plied me with four splendid 3-inch steel-rifled cannon, 100 canteens, 100 oil-cloths, and 100 blankets. This was very kind, for enemies. I don't know how we could have gotten along without them.

But I must not forget my candle-moulds. What are they? some may inquire. I have not seen one for twenty years, and I suppose many of you young ladies never saw one. They are for moulding tallow candles. I hope you will never have to use them. In the Tennessee campaign I saw a boy with the largest moulds I hid ever seen. He evidently took it for a musical instrument. I said, with surprise and disgust: " What in the world are you doing with those candle-moulds?" He replied: "I picked them up in a 'Uons' house." (In that latitude "Uons" meant enemy, "weons" our people.) I asked : "What are you going to do with them?" " I don't know," he replied. "Won't you have them?" I said: " Don't throw them away. Give them to Joe, my servant." Next winter, on the Howlett-line, I found them of great value. My good friend and good soldier, Billy Mays, of the City Gas-works, was de- tailed from my battery for the commissary department, and I asked him to get me some tallow. He did so, and I commenced the tallow-chandler business, and it was a success. I occupied quite a large house near the line of battle, and took my wife and servants out there and spent nearly a year. While most tents or cabins had fire-light only, I could afford to burn two candles when I had small print to read, so that my wife and I did more reading than in peace times. These candle-moulds, not being thrown away (note the moral, young ladies and gentlemen), afforded me much pleasure and profit.

VALUABLE SERVICE OF JOE.

But I cannot close my catalogue of household things without mentioning more particularly "Joe," to whom reference has been