what types of foods were eaten during American civil war?

Answer 1

Neither side ate very well. They ate a lot of hardtack, a kind of crude biscuit that literally had the texture of chalk. It didn't help matters that the hardtack was often fed to soldiers after sitting in a warehouse for YEARS at a time. It would get moldy and full of maggots during this time. The soldiers hated the stuff, nicknaming the biscuits "worm castles" and "tooth breakers". The only good thing about it was that it was very portable and didn't have to be cooked. Salt pork and dried beef were widely used for the same reason. Salt pork, dried beef, and hardtack were about all they ate while on long marches.

When they were in camp and had time to cook, there were a few other items they could add to their diet. Beans and hoecakes (made out of cornmeal) were a staple, and simple stews were common, as well. If they were really lucky, they would get some dehydrated vegetables and soft bread from time to time.

Union soldiers drank a lot of coffee, but it was very hard to come by in the South. Whenever the two armies got close to each other, Southern and Northern soldiers would covertly sneak away from their camps to trade coffee for tobacco and vice versa.

Soldiers often supplement their rations by hunting wild game and gathering wild berries, nuts, etc.

If their food supply got really, really low, an officer might send his men "foraging". This was a polite word for stealing food from locals. They would do this in both friendly and hostile territory.

Answer 2

hardtack or corn bread that you baked.
dried beef
salt pork or bacon (make sure it's well cooked!)
rice
sliced carrots
jam
water
nuts
apples or peaches
dried fruit

Answer 3

Hardtack, and others
Here is a link
have a look