Memphis Daily Appeal
Memphis, Tennessee
May 16, 1861
The following sketch of life in camp at Randolph is from the correspondence of a member of the Hickory Rifles, in the Christian Advocate: “The first two or three days after we came here were very inclement, rendering it impossible to keep dry or comfortable in marching, or on guard, or even in our tents. They are open at one end; plank or straw are placed upon the ground, to lay our blankets on. Yet only a very few have been on the sick list. Six men are allotted to each tent, and eight to each mess. Every mess has its head man, who, every day at 10 o’clock, draws rations for it, and is supplied with an iron kettle, oven wash pan, tin bucket, wooden bucket and coffee pot. Each member of the mess has his tin plate, cup, spoon and knife and fork. We have our own cooking, washing, etc., to do, which seems quite funny. We are not remarkably skillful in the performance of these domestic duties yet, but we are learning ‘by degrees.'”