9th US Regulars
Private
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2021
I've fallen in with a group that portrays a Headquarters detail. Besides the General, his staff, and the Provost Marshal, we leaned into a Commissary Kitchen impression. This included displays of marching rations and some camp food. I particularly enjoyed this, as it seemed pretty unique in the whole federal camp.
I'd like to try to improve the impression, though, with some more authentic cooking vessels. There's two types in particular that I'm looking for.
The Camp Kettle:
Described in the 1865 Quartermaster manual as
Camp Kettles, - to be of 3 sizes, made of good American sheet iron, and so as to fit into each other in nests of three, viz: - No.1, the largest size, should be 12 inches diameter and 11 ¾ inches deep, and to contain 4 ½ gallons. No. 2, to be 10 ¼ inches diameter, 11 ½ inches deep, and to contain 3 ½ gallons. No. 3, to be 9 ½ inches diameter, 11 ¼ inches deep, and to contain 2 ½ gallons. All to have iron wire bails, 5-16 of an inch diameter, the ends of which to be drawn down to a point. Weight of a nest of three kettles, 17 ¼ to 17 ½ pounds.
The Mess Pan
Described in the same manual:
Mess pans, - to be made of good American sheet iron, 11 ½ inches diameter at top, and 8 ½ inches at the bottom, 5 ¼ inches deep; to contain 5 quarts. Weight about 2 pounds.
The attached photo shows a soldier on the right holding one of the Mess Pans. It was a sort of serving tray, and a company kitchen was authorized 15 of these to serve 45 soldiers. There also appears two examples of the Camp Kettle sitting under the improvised table. I'm looking for fairly close representations of both of these items to go along with the 5-gallon wooden barrel I'll be getting to replace the plastic water cooler.
Does anyone have a lead on a source for the kettles and pans? "Close enough" is also acceptable as we're hardcore mainstreamers.
There are also photographs showing the use of cast iron pots. I'll likely get one of these as well, but pictures usually show these in more stationary camp quarters.
I'd like to try to improve the impression, though, with some more authentic cooking vessels. There's two types in particular that I'm looking for.
The Camp Kettle:
Described in the 1865 Quartermaster manual as
Camp Kettles, - to be of 3 sizes, made of good American sheet iron, and so as to fit into each other in nests of three, viz: - No.1, the largest size, should be 12 inches diameter and 11 ¾ inches deep, and to contain 4 ½ gallons. No. 2, to be 10 ¼ inches diameter, 11 ½ inches deep, and to contain 3 ½ gallons. No. 3, to be 9 ½ inches diameter, 11 ¼ inches deep, and to contain 2 ½ gallons. All to have iron wire bails, 5-16 of an inch diameter, the ends of which to be drawn down to a point. Weight of a nest of three kettles, 17 ¼ to 17 ½ pounds.
The Mess Pan
Described in the same manual:
Mess pans, - to be made of good American sheet iron, 11 ½ inches diameter at top, and 8 ½ inches at the bottom, 5 ¼ inches deep; to contain 5 quarts. Weight about 2 pounds.
The attached photo shows a soldier on the right holding one of the Mess Pans. It was a sort of serving tray, and a company kitchen was authorized 15 of these to serve 45 soldiers. There also appears two examples of the Camp Kettle sitting under the improvised table. I'm looking for fairly close representations of both of these items to go along with the 5-gallon wooden barrel I'll be getting to replace the plastic water cooler.
Does anyone have a lead on a source for the kettles and pans? "Close enough" is also acceptable as we're hardcore mainstreamers.
There are also photographs showing the use of cast iron pots. I'll likely get one of these as well, but pictures usually show these in more stationary camp quarters.
Bringing the