How long did hard tack last before spoiling?

historicus

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Oct 12, 2016
We all know how a lot of soldier's rations on both sides in the American Civil War was hard tack and salt horse. Hard tack was a type of very hard bread. Salt horse was beef preserved with salt.

The Confederate Army at Vicksburg surrendered due to being starved out. What if the Confederates had stocked tons of hard tack in a bunker at Vicksburg to feed the garrison over the long term?

How long did hard tack last before spoiling?

How long did salt horse last before spoiling?
 
We all know how a lot of soldier's rations on both sides in the American Civil War was hard tack and salt horse. Hard tack was a type of very hard bread. Salt horse was beef preserved with salt.

The Confederate Army at Vicksburg surrendered due to being starved out. What if the Confederates had stocked tons of hard tack in a bunker at Vicksburg to feed the garrison over the long term?

How long did hard tack last before spoiling?

How long did salt horse last before spoiling?
I’ve dug some hardtack out of a soldier’s hut site (Stafford County VA, winter 1862-63). It was black but still recognizable.
 
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