Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-09-08
FEEDING OUR BOYS.
UNCLE SAM PROVIDES 4 VERY GOOD
TABLE FOR THEM.

TABLE FOR THEM.
Serious Work of Feeding an Army - The
Problem of Fresh Bresd-How the SOL
diers Health r Guardsd-The Company
Cook
Uncle Sans coldiers are probably
the best fed and cared for troops in the
world. The facilities for securing pro-
visions. even on forced marches, are
such that the commissary department
has little trouble in Supplying the
troops with a varied and palataDle bill
OF fare.
The greatest tests in the matter OF
food supplies during TIE past two de-
cades have been TO secure and trans
pert provisions to the little bands Of
cavalry and infantry engaged in keep
ing down Indian deDredations in the
west. II was during these expeditions
that the equipment Of the commissary
department has been perfected until
to-day each company carries in a small
space all the necessaTies OF a kitchen
and culinary department. This outfit
is one which never fails 10 interest
women visitors TO encampments OF
United States troops. and TO win from
the housewife great praise for its sim
plicity and effectiveness.
Each company has its cook usually
a fat and jolly member of the service
whose headquarters are frequented
during all parts OF the day b. convivial
members Of the company. The usual
habit Of cooks to grow fat and good
nstured seems to be a rule OF those
who serve in the army, as well as those
who are in civil life. The cook is a
regularly enlisted member OF the army
told of for his duties because of his
fitness for the part lie is allowed two
assistants. these bc.ng appointed by
the commander OF the company FOR a
weeks service in the cooks depart
ment, and being under his charge.
while they assist IN preparing and
serving the food, the cook does the ma
jor part Of the work. and It Is his taste
and skill which goes TO make the
victuals served a factor in the health
and conteEtmeut o. the corps.
The cook has one small tent in
which are stored the extra provisions
and utensils needed. A large fly, with
poles and guy ropes, serves to shelter
the cooking apparatus and to form the
company's kitchen. Under It the stove
IL placed. The latter is an oblong
metal affair, made on purpose for the
army, and having griddle holes for the
r.g4 a Tfton q. In
the earth, and on it the stove is placed.
leaving room underneath for the fire
Of glowing weed embers. The cook is
an artist at making a fire in this trench
and in keeping 1t at an even heat. Var
ious folding chairs, tables improvised
Of camp chests and other things, serve
to make the necessary apparatus for
use in the kitchen. dozen big kct-
ties. boilers and pans are the utensils
needed.
Dinner, at noon, is the principal meal
Of the day in camp life, and for an hour
before the kitchen presents busy
scene. One assistant, with sleeves roll
ed up above the elbows, sits on a chest
peeling potatoes, bushel or more be-
ing necessary for the meal Near him
the other assistant bends over a great
quarter Of beef. carving out a supply
for the meal. The cook watches his
men while he attends the stove and be-
gins preparations for the coming re-
past a huge boiler on one side Of the
stove holds four gallons Of fragrant
coffee, another boiler is flied with wa
ter to receive the potatoes while In "A
bright kettle on another rt Of the
stove the cook dTy.s vegetables, rice
and other whglcaome parts cf soup and
waits for the agsig;aa; 70 hHish carving
the meat that II may be added.
Soon the dinner Is well under way
and the cook and his assistants are
busy men. In addition to the hot parts
Of the meal. there are to be taken from
the chests and served great loayes Of
bread or hard tack. The bread problem
Is a serious one On q march or In camp,
and away from the cities, and while
the cook often has 10 prepare the corn
bread or other cereal himself II rs
brought into camp already prepared
whenever possible. A company Of a
uAIiItN il4FI VI liihlF " az cat ~ Elfhl
quantity Of the staff Of life in a week,
and hundreds Of loayes are necessary.
There are other parts Of the soldiers
meal 10 be EZed If the company is
near civilization and provisions are
plentiful. Baked beans often appear on
the bill Of fare dried fruit, rice, hom-
my and other easily carried eatables,
and TO prepare all thege on the ono
small stove and with only two assist
ants is an art that only an army cook
understands
When the meal IL ready and the
bugle8 blow 10 mess, the soldiers ar
range themselves In an orderly man
ner. and the cook and his assistants
start out. Fir8t the coup rs Labeled out.
then the more solid componentB Of the
meal then the coffee and then the
sweets. until all are supplied.
To such an extent does eleanlinegg
enter into the preparation Of the sol
dlers' meal that the greatest precau-
tlong are taken 20 exclude dirt Care
fully the pots and pans are scrubbed
brightly. the big knives and utensils
are DDllFHeh anu lHe Isiuhs Dt tHH COOK
tents IL carried far off and dumped 10
prevent the contaglon that might arise
from decayng Stops. The officers are
Ugilant In keeping watch on the cook
and his assistants, as the health Of the
camp may depend on their careful
cleanliness.
Each company has It's cook and mess.
except where great armies are encamp-
ed, then a number Of cook departments
are thrown together TO work IN unison.
Uncle Sam has all his cooking utensils
made TO order. and chests arc used to
pack everything In when on the march.
The miRn1ncttc Is the national low'r