Campaign Rations - A Comparison

Comparison of Campaign Rations

The following is a comparison of combat rations for (1) 12th Century Venetian Galley Slaves, (2) Union Army Soldier from American Civil War (1862), (3) British Army (1815) and (4) British Army (1914).

The only discrepancy is for the Rations for the British Army (1815) which included a generous potato allowance.

Not included is Water Rations - which was calculated as being approximately 4 pints (0.568 litres) per day for a Galley Slave. Obviously Medieval combat troops would have received an allowance very similar if not more than that of the Galley Slave.� However, as water was a scare comodity, especially in times of combat, troops may in fact have carried with them a lesser amount.� And again, the following�estimated for infantry / foot soldiers and�not for mounted cavalry.�

�

Unit	Galley Slave	Union Army	British Army	British Army
Year	12th Century	1862	1815	1914
�	�	�	�	�
Bread / Biscuit	25oz	16oz	24oz	16oz
Cheese	1.4oz	�	�	3oz
Salted Meat	2oz	12oz	16oz	16oz
Bacon	�	�	�	4oz
Vegetables	3.5oz	4oz	32oz	8oz
Jam	�	�	�	4oz
Sugar / Tea / Coffee / Salt	�	4oz	�	4oz
�	�	�	�	�
TOTAL	2lb	2.3lb	4.5lb	3.5lb

�Note: 1oz = 28.35grams and 1lb(pound) = 0.4536kg

�SOURCE: "Richard the Lionheart - the Mighty Crusader" by David Miller

Article added: 2006-12-02 @ 12:57 am

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