November 29, 2001


Welcome to Mason-Dixon Line’s
In the Field
Portraits of War

[Benjamin Butler] Before the Civil War began, Benjamin Butler was an able criminal lawyer, a brash, articulate Massachusetts legislator, a friend to labor and to his Catholic constituents, a Democrat, and a supporter of the Union. Within days after the firing on Fort Sumter, Butler raised a regiment and led his troops to Washington despite the blockade in Baltimore where pro-slavery sentiment was strong. As a political maverick in the largely Republican Army, Butler enjoyed both freedom and notoriety throughout the war.

In 1862, his harsh rule over the city of New Orleans angered local citizens, Jefferson Davis, and even European allies of the Confederate cause. Throughout the war, Butler was an advocate for the rights of former slaves; he supported the establishment of African American regiments, and forced the Confederacy to recognize the military status of black Union soldiers.

In 1865, Butler continued his political career as a radical member of the Republican party, and a Congressman from Massachusetts. The following year, he became one of the leaders of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. This portrait was probably made in the spring of 1864, around the time U.S. Grant put Butler in command of the Army of the James River.

Photograph from Library of Congress Civil War Collection

Military Attire
Ready Made Clothing

[Slop Shop Shirt] Cheap, simple “slop shop” shirts like this reproduction of an early-19th-century garment were produced for sailors who needed to replenish their clothing during long voyages. Vessels began to operate on-board company stores stocked with clothing from the ship’s “slop chest”, as well as tobacco, and other necessities for the crew.

Eventually, with the aid of new technology, a shift in popular taste to looser-fitting men’s fashions and the increasing social acceptance of ready-made clothing, the clothing industry seized the opportunity to produce and sell a wide variety of ready-to-wear men’s garments. And, by 1860, two thirds of the ready-to-wear garments made in New York were sold to the south. But the impending war would once again shift the market trade.

Photographed at the Museum of American History.

During long voyages at sea, vessels began to operate on-board company stores stocked with clothing from the ship’s “slop chest”, as well as tobacco, and other necessities for the crew. Eventually, with the aid of new technology, a shift in popular taste to looser-fitting men’s fashions and the increasing social acceptance of ready-made clothing, the clothing industry seized the opportunity to produce and sell a wide variety of ready-to-wear men’s garments. Furthermore, by 1860, two thirds of the ready-to-wear garments made in New York were sold to the south.

But the impending war would once again shift the market trade.

[Corporal Jacket] Necessity of the Civil War forced the ready-to-wear garment manufacturers to meet the constant demand for uniforms. To accomplish this enormous task, manufacturers began building factories and developing networks of seamstresses. More efficient production methods and a better understanding of sizing helped them to meet the consumer demands. However, the ladies who were required to rapidly turn out these garments worked in conditions that were compared by some to the slave trade. Naturally, this did not as quickly apply to the fairer sex, whose styles still required close-fitting custom tailored clothing. Aside from commercially produced commodities such as cloaks, corsets, and hoops, most women's clothing in the mid-19th century was still custom-made at home or, for those whose allowance was more flexible, by dressmakers.

This U.S. Civil War mounted-artillery corporal's jacket from the early 1860s was a ready-to-wear article of clothing.
Photographed at the Museum of American History.

For the Field Doctor
To Treat Burns and Scalds

Take equal parts of olive oil and lime-water, which, when well mixed together, forms a beautiful white ointment, which may be spread with a feather upon the part affected, and a thin rag laid over it. Two or three dressings will generally take out all the fires, after which apply a little healing ointment...apply immediately after the accident, as it very soon gives ease.

Godey’s - June, 1861
Remedy for Sprains

Cloths wet freely in a strong and cold solution of salt and water, applied and persevered in, generally effects a speedy cure. If necessary to make a shift, and the part is very painful, apply the leaves of garden wormwood wet in spirits.

Should the part injured remain weak, as it sometimes does in sever sprains, a safe remedy is to pump or pour on cold water freely for a few mornings.

Godey’s - March, 1855
The Doctor is In

Visit the Health Department to find interesting facts about 19th century medicine and home remedies used during the Civil War era.
NOW FEATURING:
The memiors of Archibald Atkinson, Jr., who served as a doctor in the Confederate Army.

Recipes for Civil War Living History Events.

[Hardtack]
“Oh hard crackers, oh hard crackers, come again no more!"
So you want to make Hardtack?

I will put before you two versions of recipes, one for the North and one for the South. With the exception of the Union Army, it would be unlikely for everyone in United States to adhere to only one method of preparation.

Additional variations can be found on the recipe pages.

Hardtack was a simple flour biscuit issued to Union soldiers throughout the war. Hardtack crackers made up a large portion of a soldier's daily ration. It was square or sometimes rectangular in shape with small holes baked into it, and similar to a large soda cracker. When freshly baked, they were quite tasty and satisfying. Baked in northern factories, they usually did not get to the soldiers until months after they had been made. They were very hard by that time; so hard that soldiers called them "tooth-dullers" and "sheet iron crackers."

Packed into large wooden crates, the soldiers were usually allowed six-to-eight crackers for a three-day ration. There were a number of ways to eat them, plain or prepared with other ration items. Soldiers would crumble them into coffee or soften them in water and fry the hardtack with some bacon grease. One favorite dish was fried pork with hardtack crumbled into the mixture. Called "skillygallee", it was a common and easily prepared meal.

Compliments of The National Park Service.
  • 2 cups of flour
  • 3/4 to 1 cup water
  • 1 tbl spoon of Crisco or vegetable fat (lard)
  • 6 pinches of salt

Mix ingredients together into a stiff batter, knead several times, and spread the dough onto a baking sheet at a thickness of 1/2 inch. Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven, cut dough into 3-inch squares, and punch four rows of holes into the dough. Turn dough over, return to the oven and bake another 30 minutes. Turn oven off, leaving door closed. Leave the hardtack in the oven until cool.

Are your tastes more southern? Then try a "johnnie cake" that the Confederate soldiers enjoyed with their meals.

  • 2 cups of cornmeal
  • 2/3 cup of milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (lard)
  • 2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Mix ingredients into a stiff batter and form eight biscuit-sized "dodgers". Bake on a lightly greased sheet at 350 degrees for twenty to twenty five minutes or until brown. Or spoon the batter into hot cooking oil in a frying pan over a low flame. Remove the corn dodgers and let cool. Optional: spread with a little butter or molasses, and you have a real southern treat!

According to the National Park Service, rations for Union troops also included salt pork, fresh or salted beef, coffee, sugar, salt, vinegar, dried fruit and dried vegetables. If the meat was poorly preserved, the soldiers would refer to it as "salt horse". Sometimes they would receive fresh vegetables such as carrots and potatoes.

The variety of rations for Confederate soldiers paled by Union standards. However, early in the war, they usually received bacon and corn meal, tea, sugar or molasses, and fresh vegetables when they were available.

See what else is available from the BEST Civil War sites on the web!

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Case of the Moved Body
Find out little known facts from Mason-Dixon Line's Civil War Tidbits and Trivia page. Also links to Civil War Triva on-line. This month's feature: Does the camera ever lie?
Coming soon: What the movie about the Hunley didn't tell you!

Additional Resources for Reenactors and Researchers

From recipes that please the pallet
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