FROM THE HEARTH
From the Men-At-Arms Series of books, The Britishy Army In North America 1775-1783
Quoting a soldier's daily ration is more hazardous than a provisions' list..., for the obvious reason that the delivery of provisions to armies or regiments or detachments was bound to be erratic. Nathaniel Day, Commissary-General in Canada, wrote to Burgoyne on 31 May 1777 that the Treasury Board had ordered one man's rations per day to be as follows:
1 lb Bread or Flour
1 lb Beef or 9 and one-seventh oz. pork
Thre-sevenths pints pease
Six-sevenths oz. Butter or in lieu 1 one-seventh oz. Cheese 2 two-sevenths oz. flour or in lieu 1 one seventh oz. Rice or 1 one-seventh oz. Oatmeal.
Like the Royal Navy, the Redcoats enjoyed a rum ration, usually diluted. It was up to commanding generals what other drinks were issued. These included claret, porter and spruce beer, the latter being most popular as it did not entail pay stoppages. As for patients in hospitals, here ias an official menu for 1778-81:
1 lb Bread or Flour
1 lb Beef or 9 and one-seventh oz. pork
Thre-sevenths pints pease
Six-sevenths oz. Butter or in lieu 1 one-seventh oz. Cheese 2 two-sevenths oz. flour or in lieu 1 one seventh oz. Rice or 1 one-seventh oz. Oatmeal.
Like the Royal Navy, the Redcoats enjoyed a rum ration, usually diluted. It was up to commanding generals what other drinks were issued. These included claret, porter and spruce beer, the latter being most popular as it did not entail pay stoppages. As for patients in hospitals, here ias an official menu for 1778-81:
FULL DIET
Breakfast
Rice gruel, or Water Gruel, with Sugar or Butter.
Dinner
One pound of Fresh Meat: Viz: Beef, Mutton, or Veal, with Greens.
Supper
Two ounces of Butter, or Cheese.
HALF DIET
Dinner
Rice, and Pudding, and half a Pound of Fresh Meat; four times a week.
Breakfast and Supper, as Full diet.
LOW DIET
Breakfast, and Supper, Rice or Water Gruel; Milk; Porridge, Sago or Salop.
Dinner
Broth & Pudding.
Breakfast
Rice gruel, or Water Gruel, with Sugar or Butter.
Dinner
One pound of Fresh Meat: Viz: Beef, Mutton, or Veal, with Greens.
Supper
Two ounces of Butter, or Cheese.
HALF DIET
Dinner
Rice, and Pudding, and half a Pound of Fresh Meat; four times a week.
Breakfast and Supper, as Full diet.
LOW DIET
Breakfast, and Supper, Rice or Water Gruel; Milk; Porridge, Sago or Salop.
Dinner
Broth & Pudding.
One Pound of Bread; each Man per Diem, with three pints of Spruce Beer in Summer and a Quart in Winter.
Rice Water: for common drink in Fluxes; and Barley in Feavers...
84th members, arn't you glad you eat in Sue's kitchen.
Rice Water: for common drink in Fluxes; and Barley in Feavers...
84th members, arn't you glad you eat in Sue's kitchen.