2. Salt Pork
Salt pork, a heavily salted and preserved meat, was a staple in military rations from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Its high fat content provided essential calories for soldiers during prolonged campaigns. However, its excessive saltiness often made it unpalatable, necessitating soaking or boiling to render it edible. This practice was common among both Union and Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. (battlefields.org)
