Hardtack Rat

Tag: Civil War

  • Enemies Can Pass Notes & Barter!

    I’ve heard stories before of enemies acting cordial with one another during times of war.  It typically happens when fighting has stopped for the day and both sides desire momentary rest from the constant grind of battle.  Perhaps in no other war, however, has their been such seemingly pleasant banter between foes as in the…

  • Are You Cussin’ Me!?

    I regularly listen to the well-known podcast Stuff You Should Know (Check these guys out if you want a good chuckle).  As I was podcast “shopping” the other day, I stumbled upon another How Stuff Works affiliated podcast called Stuff You Missed In History Class.  I was really looking for a good go to Civil War podcast, which I…

  • Picket Duty

    Soldiers were notorious for keeping good records of what was going on in the American Civil War from day-to-day.  Whether it was in their personal diaries, letters home, log books, or military correspondence, they shared a variety of information. Weather was a common subject noted, followed by marching orders and miles traveled for the day. …

  • Sweet Home Louisiana

    I live in Louisiana!  Now that you know this, I’m sure one of your next thoughts is: (Does he know anyone from Duck Dynasty?)  I actually don’t, even though I live literally right across the river from them.  But, I always sarcastically answer that question with “Oh yeah, Willie and I had lunch last week!”…

  • Gnaw Away

    Before I can explain why I chose hardtackrat.com as my website name, I need to tell you what I understand the terms “hardtack” and “rat” to mean. Hardtack was simply one of the most common rations for soldiers to eat in the American Civil War. Hard by its very nature, soldiers warmly (please read with sarcasm)…

  • Story Crumbs

    One of my favorite pastimes is reading about the American Civil War.  I also like thinking and writing about what I read.  It helps me to process through it, whether it’s from a book, a Confederate soldier’s diary, or a letter written by a Union soldier to someone back home. Each small story, every new…

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