.Perhaps conditions at home got bad enough economically that you had to come join your husband. Perhaps the threat to your home and life became too great as the British drew closer, or even occupied your town or home. The soldiers on guard have heard many stories like your before. Many have come to camp looking for lost ones, but not all find them.
They hear your story out but also make you prove that your husband is enlisted in the military. Washington doesn't want any random women following camp, especially unmarried women, who could sew sinfulness and dissent within camp. Luckily, you have documentation and are able to prove that you husband is a soldier and the soldiers let you pass into camp to go join him.
You arrive at camp and ask around about your husband.
Eventually you find him, with relief you breathe out a sigh, and put your things down to settle into your new home. It is not so much a home as it is a 'hutt.'
Up to twelve common soldiers would live in this one dwelling place. In the early week of a new Winter camp, soldiers will immediately get to work building more sturdy log cabins to pass the season in. But this is what you have for now. With a shock you begin to envy this tent which you on first site disdained. You learn that likely you will not be allowed to associate directly here with your husband, as he is a solider and can be called to duty. There is an area at the back of the camp where women are permitted to live and set up their tents. It will be a cold Winter for you.
This is your mess.
A mess is the term for a soldier and his surrounding company. As the wife of one of the mess, you will be expected to perform the same duties for your the other soldiers as you will be for your husband. You are used to sewing and cleaning and cooking for one man, but for up to a dozen? For those who don't have a woman here with them in camp (and most don't) you will be asked to do the work of many wives.
A soldier you saw your husband talking with earlier approaches you with handful of raggedy garments and demands that you wash them.