Food often became a scarce commodity during wartime, especially to soldiers fighting on the front lines. Soldiers were issued food rations, and similarities can be seen between Union and Confederate rations. At the start of the war, both followed the same ration guide that existed before secession. 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. It was extremely hard, and was often soaked in water, coffee, or in meat fat to soften it enough to eat. Other items, such as beans, peas, rice, coffee, sugar, or salt, were also issued, but not on a daily basis. Initially, soldiers were required to cook their own meals, with many grouping together to cook and share, but in time cooks were assigned the role. Some wealthy Confederate soldiers brought enslaved people with them, and they would serve as the cooks for the soldiers.
The distribution of rations was greatly affected by what was available. As the war continued, the differences in Union and Confederate rations grew because of resource scarcities and supply chain issues. The Union was able to provide flour and fresh meat routinely, but the Confederacy’s access to wheat and livestock dropped off leading to reduced rations. Corn was an alternative as a readily accessible and local crop, and cornbread replaced fresh or hard bread for the soldiers. Other rations, such as coffee, were affected by the Union blockade, and chicory roots were used instead. The Confederacy did have some supplies in abundance, such as peanuts and tobacco. The tobacco proved quite valuable, and it was often traded for real coffee or other supplies between Confederate and Union camps.
(Image: Confederate Camp, Warrington Navy Yard, Pensacola, FL, 1861, Library of Congress)
FAQs
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.
What were the three main reasons there were food shortages for Confederate civilians? ›
Many causes were at the root of food shortages: a drought in 1862 drove down food supplies; slaves who worked on farms and plantations were fleeing to Union lines; Federal troops were gaining control of more parts of the Confederacy; and, with the Confederate military having priority in terms of transportation, food ...
What kind of food did they eat during the Civil War? ›
During the Civil War, the Union Army had two types of rations: "marching rations" and "camp rations." Marching rations consisted of sixteen ounces of hard bread, also known as "hardtack"; twelve ounces of salt pork or twenty ounces of fresh meat; and sugar, coffee, and salt.
Who had better resources in the Civil War? ›
As the war dragged on, the Union's advantages in factories, railroads, and manpower put the Confederacy at a great disadvantage.
What were rations and why were they issued? ›
Rationing was not only one of those ways, but it was a way Americans contributed to the war effort. When the United States declared war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States government created a system of rationing, limiting the amount of certain goods that a person could purchase.
What was the purpose of rations? ›
To meet this surging demand, the federal government took steps to conserve crucial supplies, including establishing a rationing system that impacted virtually every family in the United States. Rationing involved setting limits on purchasing certain high-demand items.
What was the South's greatest weakness in the Civil War? ›
The South's main weaknesses were its economy and its transportation systems. The region's agriculturally based economy could not support a long war. It had few factories to produce guns and other military supplies. The Confederacy also faced serious transportation problems.
What cash crop did the Confederacy rely on? ›
Cotton was the primary export, accounting for 75% of Southern trade in 1860.
Did the Confederacy run out of supplies? ›
Most Confederate soldiers brought their own guns to war. The South also lacked factories for producing clothing or shoes, and by the middle of the war, soldiers were in desperate need of both. Food, too, became scarce as the Union blockade prevented the South from importing necessities from the Caribbean and Europe.
What did Civil War prisoners eat? ›
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.
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.
What was the average age of a Union soldier? ›
The average Union soldier was 25.8 years old; there is no definite information on the average age of Confederate soldiers, but by the end of the war old men and young boys, who otherwise would have stayed home, were being pressed into service.
Who was richer during the Civil War? ›
The southern slave economy permitted a small number of wealthy planters to accumulate extraordinary fortunes. The 1860 census data show that the median wealth of the richest 1% of Southerners was more than three times higher than for the richest 1% of Northerners.
Who actually won the Civil War? ›
The Union (also known as the North) won the American Civil War. The main reasons for the Union's victory were its superior resources (including manpower), transportation, and industrial capacity, as well as the effective leadership of President Abraham Lincoln and the military strategies of General Ulysses S. Grant.
Can a civil war be a total war? ›
Was the U.S. civil war a "total war"? Most scholars believe it did not start out that way, but became a total war in the summer of 1862 when U.S. Gen. John Pope issued orders allowing union troops to live off the land, taking what they needed from Southern civilians.
What did the soldiers eat and drink during the Civil War? ›
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.
What products were the rations on? ›
Key goods such as sugar, tires, gasoline, meat, coffee, butter, canned goods and shoes came under rationing regulations.
What did Civil War soldiers carry with them? ›
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.
What were the rations in the 1800s? ›
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. They also received a morale-boosting daily ration of a pint of wine or a third of a pint of rum or gin.
Food often became a scarce commodity during wartime, especially to soldiers fighting on the front lines. Soldiers were issued food rations, and similarities can be seen between Union and Confederate rations. At the start of the war, both followed the same ration guide that existed before secession. 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. It was extremely hard, and was often soaked in water, coffee, or in meat fat to soften it enough to eat. Other items, such as beans, peas, rice, coffee, sugar, or salt, were also issued, but not on a daily basis. Initially, soldiers were required to cook their own meals, with many grouping together to cook and share, but in time cooks were assigned the role. Some wealthy Confederate soldiers brought enslaved people with them, and they would serve as the cooks for the soldiers.