CS Army Rations

[D.H. Hill]

How did the confederate soldiers receive their rations? Were they handed out in some kind of container, or was there just a communal pot where everybody marched by and had his grub measured out and given him to put in whatever holder he had?

D.H. Hill

 

[Craig L Barry]

It was slightly different for camp rations vs marching rations. For marching rations, the Commissary (of Subsistence) issues them in bulk to the Regimental Quartermaster where they were issued as a three day supply by the officers of the company. The camp rations were issued "certain days of the week to troops in garrison, barracks or quarters."

Source: A Soldiers Letters Home by Samuel Partridge, p. 102

 

[D.H. Hill]

Thanks! I appreciate your help.
D.H.H.

 

[yankee hoorah]

I have the same question there.

 

[Craig L Barry]

There was also a formal procedure for returning any unused rations back to the Commissary for a "credit" but this was not the question as posted. Sometimes less than honest company officers would return the unused portion of the rations and pocket the "credit." The problem solved itself. Given the shortages as the war went on, having excess rations became an extremely uncommon situation. Men were issued half rations or no rations at times.

 

[Phiip McBride]

One of the biggest challenges I've experienced as a reenactor is the matter of food at reenactments. Cooking by messes was the norm in the real war, but for our reenacting club, that doesn't work real well. People want to bring their own food, or bring nothing at all.

Over the years, I've evolved a set simple menu of fresh food, easy to cook, the meat requiring an ice chest, and bring enough to share with other men. Sometimes I take home lots of food, but cook it over the next few days. But I've figured out that new guys, like I was once, are extremely thankful for a plate of hot food in the new environment in which they are spending a weekend. And if I can keep them from the modern vendors or even leaving the site to go to McDonald's, then I've done the them and the hobby a worthwhile service.

 

[robert hayden]

One of the biggest challenges I've experienced as a reenactor is the matter of food at reenactments. Cooking by messes was the norm in the real war, but for our reenacting club, that doesn't work real well. People want to bring their own food, or bring nothing at all.

Over the years, I've evolved a set simple menu of fresh food, easy to cook, the meat requiring an ice chest, and bring enough to share with other men. Sometimes I take home lots of food, but cook it over the next few days. But I've figured out that new guys, like I was once, are extremely thankful for a plate of hot food in the new environment in which they are spending a weekend. And if I can keep them from the modern vendors or even leaving the site to go to McDonald's, then I've done the them and the hobby a worthwhile service.

it's a poor man with words that can't convince ANYONE not to go to McDonald's, even considering
your cooking Phil ! Taco Cabana or Whataburger on the other hand is a different story. See you at the ranch.