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The Soldier’s Camp Companion, Containing the most important information in relation to the Soldier’s Duty, Pay, Rations, Allowances, Bounty, (in money and Land), how to apply for it, who is entitled to it, &c. Compiled from the late U S. Laws, with Advices and hints on Camp Life, from an Old Campaigner.

New York: S. C. Rickards & Co., [circa 1861]. Broadside, text below title arranged in three columns, 15 1/2” x 10 3/4” plus margins.

A scarce broadside providing advice for prospective Civil War soldiers on a wide variety of matters, by “an Old Campaigner.”

The author observes that “As a large number of our young men, from town and country, are about to depart for the active duties of a soldier’s life, perhaps it would be well to give a few hints on matters generally relating to the camp and the march...” The text is divided into six sections entitled “Valuable Hints to the Soldier From an Old Campaigner,” “Invaluable Recipes,” “On Cleanliness,” “Important Information in Relation to Wounds Received in Battle,” “The Soldier’s Pay, Rations, Allowances, Bounties, &c., &c.,” and “General Instructions for Obtaining Arrears of Pay and Bounty.” Among the pieces of advice offered are “Provide yourself with a good strong gum blanket, it will prove a blessing to you both as a bed and protection from inclement weather,” “To prevent sun stroke...gather a handful of oak leaves, saturate them well with water, and place them in the crown of your cap...,” “Avoid liquors on the march, if you will drink, do it after a march,” “To prevent thirst whilst on the march, suck the juice of a lemon. No soldier should be without at least two lemons,” “To prevent wounds from mortifying...sprinkle sugar on them. The Turks wash fresh wounds with wine, and sprinkle sugar on them. Obstinate ulcers may be cured with sugar dissolved in a strong decoction of walnut leaves,” and so on. An ad at the bottom reads “AGENTS WANTED all the camps, and throughout the country, to sell our various styles of Unequalled Prize and Stationery Packages. S. C. Rickards & Co.....Largest and Oldest Prize Package House in the World.”

OCLC records just two copies.

An engaging broadside offering a highly detailed sense of the multitude of difficulties faced by the Civil War soldier.

CONDTION: Very good, old fold marks.

Item #2435

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