Existing comment:
Hardtack and Coffee:
Hardtack (also sometimes called "army bread") was the name given to a thick cracker made of flour and water and sometimes salt that, when stored property, could last for years. Cheap to prepare and durable, hardtack was considered the most convenient ration for Civil War soldiers. Each soldier would be given nine or ten at a time. Unfortunately, if the hardtack was not stored properly, insect infestation would occur. Soldiers would break the hardtack, drop it into the morning coffee, and let the insects float to the top so they could be removed. They could also heat hardtack in a fire, to drive insects out. Those who were impatient or too hungry to wait would eat it in the dark to avoid seeing what they were consuming. |