The Aiken House, near Petersburg, VA (February 1865)

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Close by the Aiken House, the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac were pitched, to the no small gratification of some of the younger officers on the staff, as in that house were domiciled no less than seven young ladies. Female society was scarce in camp, and thankfully accepted, without much regard to politics. Within the railing of the garden was the tent of the safeguard, posted to protect the house and its inmates from intrusion or injury at the hands of stragglers. These guardians were often left behind when the army was on the move, to find themselves unexpectedly relieved by officers in gray uniforms. The person of the safeguard was, however, sacred, and on examination of his papers he was sent under flag of truce to his own command.

Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the Civil War - Plate 71