Thanks to the 33d Wisconsin Volunteers, Company E, we have a table of their research on Three Day's Marching Rations handed out to all units participating in the 1994 Wade House Civil War Weekend.
Since we portray the Army on active campaign, we try to limit our rations to those items issued on the march. This includes hardtack, coffee, brown sugar, salt pork or salt beef, fresh pork, bacon, ham, or fresh beef. When portraying a camp impression, we add apples, dried fruit, desiccated vegetables, onions, corn meal, rice, red potatoes, soft bread, tea, salt, sweet potatoes, soap, & candles. Also appropriate are foraging items and gifts from home. Stay away from non-period foods and modern canned food. Rations must be packaged in a period way. This includes muslin or cotton ration bags, wrapping items in a period cloth (such as muslin) or plain brown paper, small glass bottles with cork stoppers, & in period cans. Avoid plastic at all costs! During several times each year, we will institute a ration issue. Contents of this ration issue will be based upon our impression, and the wishes & means of the membership. Hardtack was the basic staple of the Federal infantryman during the war. We recommend that all members purchase hardtack from G.H. Bent & Company, which is listed on the Approved Merchant List. Commercially made hardtack resembles the original item much better than homemade products. Soap and candles were another important ration issue for the boys while in camp.
Soap: Should be composed of lye, unscented, and in a rectangular shape. Candles: Since most candles issued to the Federal Army were composed of sperm oil (from whales), our search for an accurate candle is somewhat hampered. However, here are a few paraphrased tips to look for in reproduction candles from Nicky Hughes' fine article, "If everyone lit just one little candle: Lighting for Civil War Reenactors," located in Vol. 3, No. 2 issue of The Watchdog.
