Rations

Gentlemen,
I have acquired the recipe for the dreaded "axle grease' and am attempting to make some for a l/h in Florence, SC this weekend. I am wondering what to put it in before putting in the haversack. I considered doing a thorough wash job on a cap tin and using it. Anything I can put my hands on that is period correct would probably have a cork in it and way too small of an opening.
Your suggestions are most appreciated!
I am,
Tommy Rollings
8th. SCVI
Palmetto Battalion

[Spinster]

Both Village Tinsmith and Jarnigan have carried a correct container at various times---you need the item this weekend though, so your best bet really is a well washed cap tin, then acquire something more appropriate at a later date.

On one occassion, I managed to make it solid enough to risk rolling it up in balls and using a twist of brown paper to contain it. Nothing like coffee all over everything in your haversack to keep you alert though.

Depending on the consistency of the goo when you're finished, I found that using a tin inserted in a poke sack, and then bundle up the sack nice and tight before going into the haversack will save you from having sticky knuckles later...

Dave Gager
www.cwchaps.com


Mr. Gager: AC FORUM rules prohibit the use of cartoons, etc. for avatars. Please change yours to a period style image of yourself, or a modern image of yourself. Consider this your 1st Warning. Curt-Heinrich Schmidt, Moderator

[tarwater_mess]

I do not have facts on hand hoping others may. However, I have read references to this before. This dreaded "Axle Grease" was packed in quantities far greater than a personal tin. The Essence of Coffee was usually packed in 5# cans, sometimes as large as 25# cans. This was usually prepared at company level quantities usuing 5#'s at a time.

I guess it could have been possible for you to get a small can, for personal consumption, from your local regimental sutler.

Personally, I would grab some green coffee beans and roast'em up in a mess kettle or pan.


Anyone with good concrete research on this?

[markj]

Greetings,

Another possibility might be John Peterson at Otter Creek Tinware:

http://www.sover.net/~ottertin/ottertin/octinw1.html

I know "Victor Trading Company" also sells 19th century-style cans but, to my knowledge, these are "decorative only":

http://www.victortradingco.com/

John Peterson and I have discussed reproducing "Arthur's Patent Self-Sealing Can," which was definitely available (at least in the Philadelphia area) from circa 1853 onward. I not only found patent information for this item but also a number of interesting articles and illustrations dealing with it in 1850's numbers of "Arthur's Home Magazine." John is apparently working on a prototype right now so we'll see what happens. This would be just the ticket for you--a resealable, as well as reusable, can.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Jack Booda]

Quote from a very good article by Art Ayotte; link shown below.

"Extract of Coffee was a combination of concentrated coffee; milk and sugar, all vacuum distilled down to a thick paste. It came packed in several size containers from five gallon tins down to one quart cans. One gallon was supposed to make one day's ration of coffee for one hundred men."

http://fugawee.com/coffee.htm

I don't know how much a quart of essence weighs (5 lbs.?), but it looks like Mark Mason has a good point. Individuals may not have been issued small containers of essence for personal use.

[markj]

Hi,

Another perfectly plausible scenario is that essence of coffee was, at times, available through friendly neighborhood sutlers or could be acquired if one was passing through reasonably well-stocked towns. If so, then, depending on one's situation, having a small can in their possession would be perfectly okay.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[bluebellybugleboy]

pards:
well me and a pard of mine have been wondering where exactly can me and him buy a period frying pan , we are going to campaign next year and have been wondering , thanks.

[LibertyHallVols]

Oh, if the data from the old forums was back!! There was an informative thread on this very subject.

In a nut: Frank Ellis does a very fine job. Otherwise, you'll have to buy a stamped frying pan from Sutlerz Row vendor of your choice and find a blacksmith to snip off the handle and add a correct one on for you.

Anyone have Mr. Ellis' contact info handy?

[dusty27]

Frank Ellis

Rt. 1, Box 341

Greenbriar, TN 37073

615-643-4842

Great pans, great service, good turn around time.