Hard Tack and Coffee

Hard Tack and Coffee

Infobox Book |
name = Hardtack & Coffee
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = John D. Billings
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = memoir
publisher =
release_date = 1887
english_release_date =
media_type = Print ( [Paperback] )
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Hard Tack and Coffee: The Unwritten Story of Army Life" (1887) is a memoir by John D. Billings. Billings was a veteran of the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Artillery Battery in the American Civil War. Originally published in 1888, "Hard Tack and Coffee" quickly became a best seller, and is now considered one of the most important books written by a Civil War veteran. The book is abundantly illustrated by the pen and ink drawings of Charles Reed, also a veteran, who served as bugler in the 9th Massachusetts Battery. Reed received the Medal of Honor for saving the life of his battery commander at Gettysburg. ""Hard Tack and Coffee" is not about battles, but rather about how the common Union soldiers of the Civil War lived in camp and on the march. What would otherwise be a mundane subject is enlivened by Billings' humorous prose and Reed's superb drawings which are based on the sketches he kept in his journal during the war.

The book is noteworthy as it covers the details of regular soldier life and as such, has become a valuable resource for Civil War re-enactors.

References

*Billings, John D., " [http://books.google.com/books?id=npTTbISf-mQC&pg=PA9&dq=subject:%22History%22+%22civil+war%22+-spanish+-russian+-bosnia&lr=&as_brr=1&ei=I7_FR7n5CaOuiQGC89SrCA&sig=ZNiPMJXZIyeCCxxSIwHXKelisck Hard Tack and Coffee: Or the Unwritten Story of Army Life] ", George M. Smith & Co., 1887, Digitized by Digitial Scanning Institute, 2001, ISBN 1-58218-628-6.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Hard Tack Come Again No More — Hard Tack, Come Again No More is an American Civil War era parody of the song Hard Times, Come Again No More. First called Hard Crackers, Come Again No More! , it is a sarcastic complaint about the quality of some of the provisions provided by… …   Wikipedia

  • List of United States Marine Corps acronyms and expressions — This is a list of acronyms, expressions, euphemisms, jargon, military slang, and sayings in common or formerly common use in the United States Marine Corps. Many of the words or phrases have varying levels of acceptance among different units or… …   Wikipedia

  • List of U.S. Marine Corps acronyms and expressions — This is a list of acronyms, expressions, euphemisms, jargon, military slang, and sayings in common or formerly common use in the United States Marine Corps. Many of the words or phrases have varying levels of acceptance among different units or… …   Wikipedia

  • Foods of the American Civil War — Recreation of a ration storage room at Fort Macon State Park, NC. During the American Civil War, both the Union and Confederate armies struggled to keep their soldiers adequately fed. Logistical support varied from area to area, which lead to… …   Wikipedia

  • 1888 in literature — The year 1888 in literature involved some significant new books.Events*New books*Grant Allen ** The Devil s Die ** The White Man s Foot *Edward Bellamy Looking Backward *Rolf Boldrewood Robbery Under Arms *Mary Elizabeth Braddon The Fatal Three… …   Wikipedia

  • Scary Go Round — Infobox comic strip title= Scary Go Round caption= Tim and Ryan decide the best plan of attack in hopes of ridding their town of a brain eating zombie clone. author= John Allison url= http://www.scarygoround.com/ rss=… …   Wikipedia

  • Hardtack — (or hard tack) is a simple type of cracker or biscuit, made from flour, water, and salt. Inexpensive and long lasting, it is and was used for sustenance in the absence of perishable foods, commonly during long sea voyages and military campaigns.… …   Wikipedia

  • India — /in dee euh/, n. 1. Hindi, Bharat. a republic in S Asia: a union comprising 25 states and 7 union territories; formerly a British colony; gained independence Aug. 15, 1947; became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations Jan. 26, 1950.… …   Universalium

  • performing arts — arts or skills that require public performance, as acting, singing, or dancing. [1945 50] * * * ▪ 2009 Introduction Music Classical.       The last vestiges of the Cold War seemed to thaw for a moment on Feb. 26, 2008, when the unfamiliar strains …   Universalium

  • literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”