Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-27
valuable Rocips for soldiers:


An officer in the Confederate service at Bowling
Green, who was in the army Of the United States
for several years, and has large experience in
camp life sends us the following very valuable re-
cipe, which we take pleasure in laying before the
volunteers, now engaged IN the glorious struggle
for the freedom of their country. We would re-
commend, particularly that every officer in the
service cut it out and ty H. We are assured by the
gentlemen who furnished it, that it is more whole
some, pslatable and economical than bacon, the
scarcity Of which is now so much complained Of.
We would suggest moreover, to officers of Regi-
nents and companies, that IS their d,ty regularly
sud carefully, to inspect the messes Of the soldiers
and see that cooking is properly done ana, if not
to instruct their men in this important matter.
More than half tie sickness that now ILLS hos
pitfalls il the consequence CT wretohsd neglect
IN this particular and We regret to say
that much Of this responsibility rests upon
the heads Of the OolOnels of Regiments
and Captains of Companies, whose solemn duty it
is to constantly exert their authority and influence
in lemedying these evils. Yet how many officers
are there who ever give the slightest attention to
the health of their men, especially te that which
naturally arises from well cooked and digestible
diet?
Now that so many recruits are going into the
service, we would earnestly enjoin good begin
ming IN this respect, by which much sickness and
suffering may be prevented and many valuable
lives saved TO their country. There is no part
of an officers duty more sacred than this. He
should studiously inform himself of these duties in
the beginning, and conscientiously perform them,
as long as he has the honor % hold commission.
There are some of our officers, we are sorry to be-
lieve, who consider their whole duty discharged
when they have drilled with their commands few
hours daily, as prescribed for them. They never
dream of looking into the condition of the
camp, as to cleanliness, the mode of cook
ing employed, the neatness with which tents
are arranged and sill the many duties whose en-
freement conduce to the health and comfort of the
men, and go to make up command which is always
distinguished for its heathfulness, neAtness and
soldierly appearance. The truth is, that officers
who do not best0w their attention on these matters
carefully and faithfully, not worthy of their
positions and will never win either credit or renown
The following is the recipe, to which we referred
in the outset
In the Southern Confederacy bacon and pork will
be probably difficult to procure. Salt beef is in
reality preferable, but it requires more care in pre-
paration. Before cooking it should be soaked in
water at least twelve hours then boiled slowly
I'll the flesh leaves the bone. The meat should then
be taken out of the vessel pulled to pieces the fat
and lean well mixed together, and put into 8 conf
cal tub, the apex downward. The liquid in the
vessel in which the meat was boiled should
then be boiled down to gravy, seasoned with
red pepper and sage, and while hot poured
over the meat. When the whole has become cold,
1t can be served to the soldier, and eaten cold or
broilsd or fried in batter, as he may choose
Beef prepared in this way is pslatable, whole
some. and there is no waste; will keep a week; it
is very strengthening, is easily digested and will
not produce EiarrbWa. We hope tins plan will have
trial from our officers, who ought to exert them
selves TO save our brave volunteers from sickness
and the ills consequent upon bad cookery.
An On SOLDIER