I’ve mended my jacket and breeches so many times they look like motley. Luckily I’ve had a needle and thread and am handy with it. Many are not so blessed. Our rations of flour have not been replenished for a few weeks now, and cornmeal is all we’ve seen for weeks. If I were to take a hit of grapeshot today, I know I would bleed hasty pudding in place of blood.

World Book Illustration