Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War.: With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions

ten o’clock he was in full dress, it being Sunday. The horses were ready, and we started for head-quarters. CHAPTER XXVII. CAMP LIFE AT HEAD-QUARTERS. Off to head-quarters--A sensation--Mrs. Seacole’s salutation--General Simpson--An interview--Plans--Invitation to dinner--Bread-biscuits--Prescribe for the General--General Eyre--Sir John Jones--The Staff--Conversation--A remarkable case--The Guards’ camp--Return from a funeral--Colonel Seymour--Dinner at General Simpson’s--A Crimean banquet--Arrival of despatches--A great battle expected--Excitement of my Zouave--A false alarm--My stoves in use--Success of the plan--Economical cooking stove for all classes--Interview with Sir Colin Campbell--Battle of the Tchernaya--Ride with Lord Rokeby--Colonel Seymour recognised at last--Wounded from the Tchernaya--Timely succour--Case of two French soldiers--Visit to the battle-field--Bornet’s indignation--Delay--Opening day fixed--Final preparations. As Bornet was a dashing cavalier and a very good horseman, he created quite a sensation in Kadikoi, and upon our arrival before the Sardinian head-quarters, General della Marmora and Staff came upon the balcony to look at him. He saluted the general, who appeared much surprised to see a Zouave on horseback in my suite, and not wearing the exact costume of that corps, as I had made some stylish improvement in it, in order to distinguish him from the common soldiers. As I had to see General Simpson about eleven o’clock, off we went at full gallop, being rather short of time. Mrs. Seacole, who was at her door with her daughter Sarah, had only time to call out, “Go it, my sons!” as we rattled past the house. We arrived in due time, and I saw Colonel Steele, who told me that General Simpson would be happy to receive me directly, and at once conducted me to his audience-chamber. The new Commander-in-chief rose politely as I entered, shook me by the hand, and invited me to be seated. I had previously left a letter for him from Lord William Paulet respecting my mission, and I showed two I had received from the War-office, in which the Minister-at-War expressed in flattering terms his approbation of them. After the usual compliments of a first interview, General Simpson told me that he had read the letter with great interest, and would give me all the