CIVIL WAR FEDERAL ISSUE HARD TACK CRACKER HARDTACK

Civil War Original Issue Hardtack measuring 3 1/4 X 3 1/4 showing minor wear. During the Civil War one of the most common meals for soldiers was a cracker-like food called hardtack. Hardtack is made from flour, water, and salt. Soldiers really didn’t like eating hardtack. It was known as “sheet iron crackers” or “tooth duller” because it was so hard. It also was known for getting wet, which allowed mold to grow in the boxes of it that were supplied to the Army. In addition, insects would sometimes lay their eggs in the hardtack giving it the nickname, “worm castles.” Hardtack was important for the men to eat- it gave them energy they needed, and it was a big part of their diet- so they tried to find all kinds of different ways to eat it. Commonly, soldiers would soften their hardtack in co...