A true taste of life during the Civil War
Waterford-Halfmoon students eat like soldiers during living history lesson at school

By DENNIS YUSKO, Staff writer
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First published: Tuesday, June 13, 2006

WATERFORD -- Middle school students at Waterford-Halfmoon got a taste of Civil War life and while they liked the lessons, the food left some feeling dry-mouthed.

As part of the district's first "Civil War Demonstration," home and careers teacher Linda Bertrand and students baked and sampled the diet of 19th-century soldiers: hardtack, corn bread and hoe cake.
Basic hardtack is made with flour, salt and water. It was a staple on the front lines before and during the Civil War because it stayed preserved in the pouches of fighters, who often dipped it in coffee. The stuff sometimes spoiled and grew moldy, even bug-infested, but hungry soldiers ate it because they received valuable energy from it.
It took Bertrand's class about 40 minutes to prepare and cook. While soldiers sometimes flavored the stiff treat with whatever they could find, students served the hardtack with butter and jelly.
"The hardtack was kind of bad because it was just made of water and flour and anything they were carrying," seventh-grader Tyler Lansing said.
"It was not good stuff," Bertrand said.
Hoe cake is made with corn meal, salt, oil and water.
"It's really dry. It just tastes like flour," Lansing sighed.
The living history event was the brainchild of Andrew Wein, 26, who is in his first year teaching in the district.
Five stations with various re-enactors were offered to middle school students in various parts of the school. Speaking were a Union soldier, a Confederate soldier, the Civil War food cook, a fife and drum duo, and a hospital relief worker.
Bill Frueh played a drummer who was accompanied by fifer Larry Rudolph. They demonstrated the era's music and how music was used as a wartime propaganda tool.
Wlad Soloniewicz described life as a Confederate cavalryman. He spoke with fifth- and seventh-graders dressed in Confederate attire. He explained that "Yankees" benefited from having better clothing and equipment than Confederates during the war.
"It was educational. I learned a lot of stuff about the war and what went on," student Katelynn McGreevy, 13, said.
A self-described history buff, Wein arranged for the Civil War enthusiasts to come to the school. He grew up in Niskayuna. His father, also a social studies teacher, organized "Colonial Day" in the Schalmont school district for years.
The demonstration was a neat way for students to go beyond the basics of the Civil War, Wein said.
"History is a long time ago. And you have to make it alive," said Melanie Stracuzzi, a school art teacher and member of the Capital District Civil War Roundtable. She's married to Joseph Stracuzzi, who portrayed a Union soldier in the school's gymnasium and took students through basic marching drills.
The event marked the first time that the school hosted so many guest speakers at once, Middle School Principal Christine Barry said.
"I think the benefits are that it gives students a better understanding of different perspectives. Social conflict is very difficult to teach."