Civil Hardtack and Hardtack Crates - A Veteran Speaks

[@GrangerGangster]

That company cook pantry is awesome! I hadn’t come across that practice before. Same goes for the underground butter storage! When you collate all the 1001 uses for hard tack boxes into one source, it really underscores how dear are those few that survive to this day in their original form.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

It was pretty amazing how much space in the book he spent talking about it.

[@Texian_1836]

Things don't change! We'd break up MRE boxes and used them as flooring in our sleep tents, and we'd take other MRE boxes and turn them into extra file space for office supplies and things non HIPAA. 68G, PAD to the Bone!

[@ftargr]

some aspects of soldering never change. give him a chair, its just a chair. give him a crate, the possibilities are endless

[@MikeD56034]

just in time as i am pricign lumber to build a couple bread boxes based on plans from a book i have. for a soldier being able tap into the skill of Utility is key to survival.

[@robertmccann5838]

One thing I've strived for in my living history: mimic tge ordinary. Nice bench!

[@mcritel1]

Excellent piece covering a common item again!

[@danreger8924]

Awesome bench!

[@RW4X4X3006]

Even today in the Army, a wooden crate of any size is gold. And so are pallets!

[@scottrmckinley]

There's something comforting about these videos when they concern food, shelter, and a camp fire. Nicely done, Will! Was the wood in the original crates that thick, though? I would have thought they'd be thinner like...shingles?

[@guynemer53]

The 2nd USSS did a how to video on making one. Its about 45 mins long.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

There are three surviving examples, that I know of. The thinnest board is 5/8 of an inch thick. The thickest is just about an inch. Remember, you need the structural stability to carry 50 pounds of bread inside.

[@arfyego0682]

No way! I just so happened to paint my hardtack box lid today!! Small world!

[@TXCannoli]

I was waiting for the Tasting History with Max Miller’s hardtack “clack clack”

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Max is a lot of fun to watch!

[@yankeebarber]

Nice episode, Will. Reenactors should get in the habit of using boxes and crates as "camp furniture" instead of some of the hideous items we see in today's camps.

[@yankeebarber]

Btw, If you look at original 50# army bread boxes you'll find out that the boards are different dimensions than just 3/4" planed lumber.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We hope this makes a case for that and shows a few more options to choose from. Everybody doing the same thing wouldn’t be great either.

[@Wolfram762]

Awesome content Will! Thank you guys very much for sharing this with us!!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Glad you enjoy!

[@Wolfram762]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest always!!

[@robertweber567]

Great episode

[@loganhane5270]

Watching this whilst eating hardtack I'm not kidding I submerged it in water with a spoon so I can move it around so yea

[@altonbunnjr]

Mmmm...hardtack. Said no one.

[@Fluffinator129]

Honestly I have been known to eat hardtack as a quick snack at home. Bust it into small pieces, and just kinda naw on one like an overweight squirrel.

[@tomgreen1721]

I wonder if they ate birds and deer or boar and stuff