16 Civil War Recipes Made for Soldiers (2024)

FAQs

What was a typical meal for Civil War soldiers? ›

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.

Soldiers from each army typically had a different mix of rations. A Federal soldier might have salt pork, hard tack, fresh or salted beef, coffee, sugar, salt, vinegar, dried fruit and vegetables. If it was in season, they might have fresh carrots, onions, turnips and potatoes.

Coffee, hardtack, and salt pork comprised the majority of a Civil War Soldier's diet. While these items may seem crude by 21st century standards, they met the nutritional needs of Soldiers at the time.

During the Civil War one of the most common meals for soldiers was a cracker-like food called hardtack. Hardtack is made from flour, water, and salt.

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).

Among the dishes prepared were chicken fricassee, mushroom ketchup (a condiment made by boiling mushrooms), a beef-and-potato stew, cornish game hens and ham and beans -- foods that would have been made by Union soldiers.

The southern soldier's diet was considerably different from his northern counterpart and usually in much less quantity. The average Confederate subsisted on bacon, cornmeal, molasses, peas, tobacco, vegetables and rice.

A ringing statement, for which unwitting support can be found from no less than the beau ideal of the Confederacy. Lee, who loved his black cook's fried chicken, once said that all he wanted was "a Virginia farm — no end of cream and fresh butter — and fried chicken.

Soldiers used to have limited options when it came to meal choices during their service. They either eat at dining facilities or if they are in the field, they eat vacuum-packed meals called MREs. Most countries tend to provide some local flavors or foods for their soldiers in the MREs.

What food did soldiers eat during war? ›

They ate mutton or beef, alongside potatoes and bread to keep them full. Plum puddings or chocolate were also common, especially in emergency rations, eaten by individuals trapped behind enemy lines. Instant coffee became the staple drink for G.I.'s to such an extent that the nickname of G.I.

A typical field ration consists of: An entrée or main course, typically full meals consisting of preserved and nonperishable precooked meat, vegetables, legumes, grains, rice, or staple foods; dehydrated soup or broth may also be offered, often in the form of bouillon cubes.

Water was obtained from wells 15-20 feet deep. The sinks consisted of a ditch which ran across the prison. Wood for cooking was delivered within the camp at three sticks per man per day. Rations consisted of bacon, beef, coffee, sugar and one loaf of bread each per day.

As with the Revolutionary Way, cornbread again played a vital role in feeding soldiers during the Civil War. You may have heard of hardtack, an unleavened bread made from only flour and water used to feed troops using as little resources as possible.

In short, the soldiers were either issued roasted coffee beans, or green coffee beans which they would roast over a fire. They would grind them by hand, usually using a grinder not unlike a modern Turkish coffee grinder.

According to army regulations for daily camp rations, a Union soldier was entitled to receive 12 oz of pork or bacon or 1 lb. 4 oz of salt or fresh beef; 1 lb. 6 oz of soft bread or flour or 1 lb. of hard bread (hardtack), or 4 oz of cornmeal.

Soldiers carried a variety of personal items to help ease the hardships of war and the drudgery of camp life. Such items included plates and utensils for eating and cooking, a sewing kit (called a housewife), pencils and paper to write letters, as well as books, playing cards, and tobacco pipes to help pass the time.

In 1861 to June 1864, union army private's base was $13.00 per month. Confederate private remained at $11.00 per month until June 1864, when the rebel's pay was increased actually to a base slightly higher than union private—to $18.00 per month.