With a tent-fly for shelter and a hardtack box for a table, the resourceful operator mounted his "relay", tested his wire, and brought the commanding general into direct communications with separated brigades or divisions. The field-line was built of seven twisted, rubber-coated wires which were hastily strung on trees or fences.
The recruit soon learned that slaughtering cattle, cooking, cleaning and washing accouterments, chopping wood and laundry all come within the province of the soldier.