Civil War soldiers often had little to eat, especially soldiers of the Confederacy. Efforts were made early in the war by the Union to have a cook (Chef Major) and assistant for every 100 soldiers. These cooks – where they existed – would have traveled in a wagon with their provisions, tent, and cookware. Cooking was usually done by these cooks with cast iron cookware because of its durability, cost, and even heating. Soldiers would carry a tin (for its light weight) mess kit of a plate, cup, and eating utensils. The reenactment soldiers used era cookware, but definitely ate better than Civil War soldiers.