16 Civil War Recipes Made for Soldiers (2024)

FAQs

What was a common meal for soldiers during the Civil War? ›

These rations allotted just over a pound of meat, likely beef or pork, just under a pound of "hard bread," and a small collection of dried vegetables. The most common form of hard bread, was called hard tack, a basic wheat biscuit that did not easily decay and could survive a rough march.

Gail Borden's invention of condensed milk was very helpful for the Union army. Soldiers would also regularly drink coffee, however it was not always entirely coffee beans. Dandelion root served as a supplement or Ersatz good when coffee beans were scarce.

THE FULL CAMPAIGN RATION OF THESE MEN IN THIS LITHOGRAPH IS ONE POUND OF HARDTACK, THREE-QUARTER POUNDS OF SALT PORK, OR ONE AND A QUARTER POUNDS OF FRESH MEAT, SALT, SUGAR, COFFEE. THIS EQUATES TO ROUGHLY 4000 CALORIES. YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE CALORIC INTAKE OF WHAT OUR MODERN TROOPS SHOULD BE GETTING. PER DAY.

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, soldiers were given two meals a day. This was usually simple, slow-perishing food like salted pork or boiled beef, along with some bread.

The most common food given to soldiers was bread, coffee, and salt pork. The typical ration for every Union soldier was about a pound of meat and a pound of bread or flour. The Confederacy started out following the same rules. As the war went on, they weren't able to keep up.

Union soldiers were fed pork or beef, usually salted and boiled to extend the shelf life, coffee, sugar, salt, vinegar, and sometimes dried fruits and vegetables if they were in season. Hard tack, a type of biscuit made from unleavened flour and water, was commonly used to stave off hunger on both sides.

And if in season, they might have fresh carrots, onions, turnips and potatoes. The Confederate soldier typically had bacon, cornmeal, tea, sugar, molasses and, infrequently, fresh vegetables. Southern soldiers traded tobacco, a highly prized commodity, for Northern delicacies.

Troops supplemented government rations with found or purchased foods whenever possible: ripe or unripe fruits and vegetables, and pies, cakes and canned goods bought from sutlers (mobile storekeepers).

About once every week to ten days, Soldiers would go to the rear for their shower. Upon entering the shower area they turned in their dirty clothing. After showering they received new cloths. They had their choice for size: small, medium, or large.

How many miles did a Civil War soldier walk? ›

The average for a march was between 8 and 13 miles per day, with 20 or more miles being more exhausting and less frequent. Also, the armies usually walked less after a battle, unless in retreat or in pursuit.

Two and three quarter million soldiers fought in the American Civil War, nearly 2 million for the United States and 750,000 for the Confederacy. The average soldier was a white, native born, Protestant. He was single, between the ages of 18 and 29, stood 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighed 143 pounds.

In today's society, we are told to have 3 square meals a day. But in reality, back in ancient Rome — Romans would only eat 1-2 meals a day. The first 'breakfast' (breaking a fast) was usually around noon. Then they would have their dinner (cena) at around 3-4pm.

Breakfast in the military often includes a variety of options such as:Eggs: Scrambled eggs or omelets. Breakfast meats: Bacon, sausage, or ham. Bread: Toast, biscuits, or rolls. Cereal: Individual cereal packets or oatmeal.Fruits: Fresh fruits when availab.

Many of the soldiers had no cooking skills; women or slaves typically handled home kitchen chores. “As a result, almost every food in the Civil War was fried. It's easy to fry food,” Burke said. Despite the obstacles, military cooking over a campfire in the early 1860s resulted in some pleasing meals.

US military meals can vary based on location, mission, and available resources. However, common meals include a variety of options like eggs, bacon, cereal, sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, pasta, rice, and protein sources like chicken or beef.

THE MILITARY DINING-IN. INTRODUCTION. The dining-in is a formal dinner function for members of a military organization or unit. It provides an occasion for cadets, officers, noncommissioned officers, and their guests to gather together in an atmosphere of camaraderie, good fellowship, fun, and social rapport.