Camp Life - Castremetation and Feeding the Army
During the American War for Independence, every Company within a British Regiment was broken down into individual "Messses" of 5 or 6 soldiers. In addition to preparing, cooking and eating their meals together, the men of these messes were required to sleep together as a common unit. During the winter months, each mess was assigned to a barracks or quarters. During the summer months, they often slept under a canvas tent when, and if, one was available. If tents weren't available, a soldier slept either under the stars or within a wigwam fabricated from tree branches.
"21st. August. marched a few Miles up the Country and encamped In Soldiers Tents"
- Captain William Hasslewood, H.M. 63rd Regiment of Foot
In order to properly educate the public, and ourselves, on the "Life and Times" of the Common Soldier during the American War for Independence, every aspect of a soldier's life must be taken into consideration. This includes how he slept as well as how he ate. Painstaking measures must be ensued so that the public can properly witness, and therefore understand, exactly how these men and women lived during the 8 year struggle for America's Independence. In our opinion, anything else would be a disservice to the memory of those individuals we portray. We are unashamed to say that we are one of a minute handful of living history organizations who takes this philosophy seriously.
During the 18th Century, the term "Castremetation" refers to the layout of a military camp. Tents used during this time were made of Linen Canvas. They were fabricated entirely by hand, often by Sailmakers who were contracted for the task. When the recreated 63rd Regiment of Foot sought to reconstruct proper tents for its impression, an extensive research project was first undertaken (with the help of a few of our friends) to ensure authenticity. Given the scope of what is currently known and documentated, the fruits of our labor resulted in the very first tents to be properly fabricated since the 18th century itself. Each tent is made entirely by hand out of linen canvas and rope. A link to this research project can be seen below.
In addition to sleeping together, British messes were also required to prepare their meals together. To do this, these men were issued a tin kettle to cook the rations they received. Simple kitchens of earthen ditches or crossed saplings supported their kettles over a fire. Besides these tin kettles, a soldier serving during the American Revolution had no other luxuries to call his own. If he wanted to sit, he sat on the ground. If he wanted to eat, he used a wooden trencher and a pewter spoon (if he was fortunate enough to own them). If he wanted to shade himself, he either sat under a tree, his tent, or a make-shift cover of tree branches called a bower.
To learn More about the Research Project that lead to the construction of proper
18th Century Enlisted Men's Tents, please click on the following article:
To learn more about HOW and WHAT a British Soldier ate during the American Revolution, please click on the following article:
