If the hardtack got moldy it was usually thrown away as inedible, but if it just got weevily it was issued anyway. Heating it at the fire would drive the weevils out; more impatient soldiers simply ate it in the dark and tried not to think about it.
In the context of soldiers' experiences during the Civil War, hardtack served as a staple food, often subject to spoilage. If the hardtack developed mold, it was deemed inedible and discarded. However, if it was merely infested with weevils, it was still distributed to the troops. Understanding their harsh conditions, soldiers sometimes resorted to heating the biscuits over a fire to expel the insects or simply consumed them in the dark, trying to ignore the unpleasantness.
These practices reflect the challenging realities faced by soldiers, who had to adapt to the less-than-ideal provisions available to them. The willingness to eat weevily hardtack speaks to their resilience and the necessity of survival amidst the rigors of wartime. This excerpt from Bruce Catton's "Mr. Lincoln's Army" highlights not only the nutritional challenges but also the psychological coping mechanisms employed by the troops to endure their circumstances.
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