Part 1/10:
Life as a POW During the American Civil War: A Culinary Journey
Life as a prisoner of war (POW) in the American Civil War was far from enjoyable. Those incarcerated faced unimaginable hardships, and a significant part of their suffering stemmed from the food — or lack thereof. For many, survival meant rummaging for scraps or enduring extreme hunger in prisons notorious for their deplorable conditions. However, isolated incidents provided glimpses of decent food, such as the mock apple pie crafted from an 1863 recipe. Today, we delve into the meager culinary experiences of Civil War prisons and appreciate the rare comforts they could offer.