The commander of the post was more a forwarding agent than a military officer.

The only steamers at the levee were loading for the armies.

Cairo was a map of busy, muddy life.
The opening year found Cairo exulting in its deep and all-pervading mud.

There was mud everywhere.
Levee, sidewalks, floors, windows, tables, bed-clothing, all were covered with it.

On the levee it varied from six to thirty inches in depth.