Hardtack and Corn

Hardtack and Corn 

During the American Revolutionary War, the life of a soldier was as much a battle against hunger as it was against the British. Among the most common — and least celebrated — staples of their diet were hardtack and corn.

Hardtack, a simple mixture of flour and water baked into dense, rock-hard biscuits, was designed more for durability than taste. Soldiers often joked that it could break teeth, and many soaked it in broth, coffee, or even rainwater to soften its iron-like texture. In the worst cases, hardtack came with weevils, adding unexpected protein to the meal.

Corn, on the other hand, was served boiled, ground, or sometimes as a porridge known as "hulled corn" or "hominy." Though bland and monotonous, corn was filling and a reliable source of energy, especially during long marches or the harsh winters, like the one endured at Valley Forge.

Despite the poor quality and limited variety of these rations, American soldiers endured — driven by their commitment to the cause of liberty. Hardtack and corn became symbols of both hardship and the iron resolve of those who fought for independence.

Hardtack and Corn or 

The Soldier's Culinary Woes

There once was a soldier so brave,

Who fought for our freedom to save.

But his rations, oh dear, Left much to be feared,

A diet that no one would crave.

 

Hardtack, that brick-like affair,

Could shatter his teeth without care.

He'd soak it in broth, Or gnaw like a sloth,

Praying his gums wouldn't bare.

 

And then came the corn, oh so bland,

Boiled to a pulp, quite unmanned.

He'd slurp it down fast, For flavor didn't last,

In this military planned.

 

Yet through hunger and hardship galore,

Our soldier stood firm to the core.

With hardtack and corn, His battles were borne,

A hero like none before.

 

So raise a glass to those valiant men,

Who saved our young nation back then.

Though their food was a plight, 

They stood strong for the fight,

True patriots, again and again.

This poem is an excerpt from my chapbook "Revolutionary Verse", a free download, or if you prefer a printed copy, buy direct, click here.