Soldier Life

Three days of rations

This is what a cavalry soldier would have been given as rations for three days.

At Cavalry Camp of Instruction, soldiers were given 2 potatoes, one sweet potatoe, peanuts, hardtack, smoked bacon, an onion and coffee beans. This small amount would have to last them 3 days.

The young kid in this photo is the son of one of the soldiers. Since the cavalry was camped near his hometown, the soldier was allowed to have his son visit camp. While his dad is doing drills, the kid satys with the quartermaster running errands or helping with the cooking.

A soldier only had what he could carry.

Blankets, tents and other items from home meant fewer bullets and powder.

I'm going to add photos and information about the daily life of soldiers. As I learn more about their equipment, the things they ate and how hard life was I will share it with you. WHen I do the living histroy weekend in May, I'll learn even more. I'm going to learn how hard it is to be satisfied with rations. I think sleeping on the gournd without a tent will be fun, but I hope I get a "shebang." Not sure what that is? You can look it up of check back later for a photo and definition.

Here are some photos from Cavalry Camp of Instruction I took.

Rations and a canteen for water was important.

Water was sometimes hard to find and often dirty causing disease and sickness.

A Sutler visits camp.

Sutlers were allowed by army to sell items not provided by military.

Sleeping on ground was normal

At least cavalry could use saddles for pillows.

A soldiers camp. All he needs to live.

Compare regular soldier's camp to commander below.

Major's Tent at Camp of Instruction

The Major had it much better than his soldiers, but still not great.

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At Fort Donelson, Confederate Soldiers Hut

At the fort soldiers would have more substantial "housing."

At Forts and during winter camp, the soldiers built stronger and warmer places to live. But the cramped quarters and thousands of men in one area often led to spreading of sickness and disease. When the Union took over Fort Donelson they actually burned down all the huts like this one as they were causing break-out of disease. In my great, great, great grandfather's unit, 36 men died during the war - 35 from disease and one from wounds in battle. It was really hard and kind of gross thinking about the conditions. Men often bathed in the same water they drank and the pee from horses of cavalry and wagons ran into the water they had to drink. It was not an easy life.