Rations For All

[ArmySGT.]

Dehydrated rations first appeared with the North in the American Civil War. In WW2, the U.S. use dehydrated and compressed rations to conserve space and weight shipping food overseas. Such things as hashbrowns, chopped vegetables, and dehydrated soups. Not individual rations themselves but, as part of a overall menu reconstituted by a mess unit.

Some things from the American Civil War can still be found on supermarket shelves. Canned coffee, canned milk, canned cheese, crackers in wax paper, canned ham, bullion cubes, etc.