Author(s): R. Sheppard (Contribution by)

Military History/Biography

An army marches on its stomach-so the classic saying goes. This book brings together excerpts from contemporary manuals to show how the U.S. Army fed and provisioned its troops in the 19th and early 20th century, lifting the lid on what daily life must have been like both for those preparing and consuming the rations. The first part of the book covers the development of rations, messing, and army cooking until the Civil War. During the Civil War the huge number of volunteers who had no experience of cooking meant that the health of the army was in danger, and the result was the first cook book for soldiers. Later in the century, training for army cooks was introduced, alongside an official manual. A large extract is included from the manual dating to 1896, when the U.S. Army was involved in the last skirmishes of the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American war, and the Philippine-American war. The manual prepares a cook for any eventuality whether in garrison, in the field, or on the march. As well as classic American fare such as chowder and Rhode Island pancakes, more exotic influences are apparent with such delights as Crimean Kebobs, Turkish pillau, and Tamales. Following the experience of providing rations for men campaigning overseas in warmer climates, and the infamous 'embalmed beef' scandal, later manuals, including the 1916 edition, offer a detailed consideration of nutrition for the men and also recipes for when the cook has only a camp fire, and no utensils, available. With many illustrations and diagrams, this is a fascinating exploration of 19th and early 20th century U.S. Army cooking.