Civil War Cooking...

[observator]

jUST FOUND THIS ONLINE
For every 100-man company, the skilled cook would be appointed two privates; one position would be permanent and the other would rotate among the men of the company. The skilled cook would be given the rank of "Cook Major" and receive a monthly salary of $50

Civil War Cooking: What the Union Soldiers Ate | The History Kitchen

Blogger Tori Avey examines the food and challenges involved in feeding the Union army during the Civil War.

www.pbs.org

(pRIVATES RECEIVED A MONTHLY SALARY OF $30.00[!]

 

[Fairfield]

Given the working conditions and supply issues, I'd say that these cooks were underpaid.

 

[Tom Elmore]

Interesting bit about the "Cook Major," but I suspect that formally declared position (and the pay) did not last long into the war, as attrition significantly reduced the size of regiments. I was unaware that cooks received additional pay, and while they were certainly always kept very busy, the upside was that they were exempt from the usual arduous and fatiguing soldier duties like standing guard and policing the camp. Cooks were also subject to the expected verbal abuse from soldiers who complained about portions, quality, variety, etc. - usually things the cooks had little or no control over.

 

[donna]

Interesting site. Tori Avery has a lot on foods. I been to many of her posts.

 

[observator]

Reading 1880s Ohio Adjutant general reports on Civil War regiments and listing of those who served..a few times Ive come across entries in various companies that have a mans name with remarks "Negro....cook"

 

[lupaglupa]

Interesting. I think that would have been a very challenging job!

 

[Dan Kohli]

It looks what actually happened was that a company could enlist four "African" Under cooks, supervised by a private acting as the cook.

 

[Dan Kohli]

jUST FOUND THIS ONLINE
For every 100-man company, the skilled cook would be appointed two privates; one position would be permanent and the other would rotate among the men of the company. The skilled cook would be given the rank of "Cook Major" and receive a monthly salary of $50

Civil War Cooking: What the Union Soldiers Ate | The History Kitchen

Blogger Tori Avey examines the food and challenges involved in feeding the Union army during the Civil War.

www.pbs.org

(pRIVATES RECEIVED A MONTHLY SALARY OF $30.00[!]

It looks like the last pay figure may have been adjusted for inflation to some degree or another.

 

[Jack7171]

 

[Jack7171]

Interesting bit about the "Cook Major," but I suspect that formally declared position (and the pay) did not last long into the war, as attrition significantly reduced the size of regiments. I was unaware that cooks received additional pay, and while they were certainly always kept very busy, the upside was that they were exempt from the usual arduous and fatiguing soldier duties like standing guard and policing the camp. Cooks were also subject to the expected verbal abuse from soldiers who complained about portions, quality, variety, etc. - usually things the cooks had little or no control over.

The cook on Rawhide and Wagontrain sure took alot of abuse,,poor Charlie and Wishbone got beat up at every meal! I'd imagine CW cooks got the same,, even Igor and Sal took tongue lashings on Mash.