Camp, Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856.
Sir,—I beg leave to state that I approve most highly of your field-stoves.
Each company in my regiment has had good opportunities of fully testing their qualities; and both in the cooking of fresh and salt meat have been found to answer the purpose for which they were intended, remarkably well.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
B. Riley, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding 48th Regiment.
Monsieur A. Soyer.
Fourth Division, Camp, Sebastopol, 26th May, 1856.
Monsieur Soyer,—In reply to your letter of the 21st of this month, relative to the field-stoves, I beg to state that the stove has been tried by the 57th Regiment, and I am of opinion that it is well adapted for the purpose intended.
It affords every facility for cooking, and saves a considerable quantity of fuel; and two of the stoves to one company on the march would be far preferable to the camp-kettles now in use.
I have the honour to be,
John A. Street, Lieut.-Col.,
Commanding 57th Regiment.
Monsieur Soyer,
Fourth Division.