Bean soup

[Hunter]

Was bean soup a common ration of 19th century U.S. soldiers?

[St. George]

Dried beans, hardtack and bacon were common food items issued 'dry' or 'raw' and cooked by the individual soldier or by the squad - pooling rations and messing together.

They'd supplement these rations with items purchased from the sutler - if one was available and they had money - from farmers, and through foraging.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Pitspitr]

At some posts they would also pool any available assets to form a company fund. With this fund they would sometimes purchase vegetable seeds and grow a garden to supplement diets.