Original pieces of Civil War Hardtack from a campsite in Eastport, MS

This is another interesting piece being offered, it is the remains of an original Civil War Hardtack biscuit. It is broken into many pieces and is in a 5” x 6” glass display case This piece was recovered in a firepit of a Union campsite at Eastport, Mississippi.

Too hard to be eaten whole, hardtack was sometimes broken up with a rock, bayonet, or rifle butt, placed in the cheek and softened with saliva until it was soft enough to be chewed and swallowed. It was more often soaked in water and fried in bacon grease.

In my recent book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I show an example and discuss the importance of this food source (see pictures). In just about every museum you will see hardtack displayed, actually, there is one in the Museum of the Confederacy that was picked up at Gettysburg.

Many of the buildings and homes in Eastport were transported 10 miles away to Iuka because they rejected an offer by the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to build a rail-line through the town. 

By 1860, Iuka was prospering while Eastport was rapidly declining.  Due to its position on the Tennessee River, Eastport saw some activity during the Civil War, including an attack by Union gunboats on Confederate trenches in 1862. After the Battle of Iuka, Union camps were set up at Eastport. 

Original Civil War hardtack is almost impossible to find. Thes pieces are interesting being that it remained and survived outside for over 150 years. Hardtack is always a very interesting conversation piece.