Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Civil War Cabins
Cook House
Soldiers on Active campaigns were issued raw rations which they prepared themselves, usually over an open fire. While in winter quarters, company cooks prepared and served food from a log cook house. Food prepared by the cooks was often of better quality and less likely to spread diseases such as dysentery that killed far more Soldiers than battles.
Enlisted Men’s Cabin
A typical log cabin was home to four Soldiers who shared a small communal area with simple furnishings and a dirt floor, a fireplace and two bunks. Sleeping with a bunkmate was warmer as the men sleep under two blankets plus shared their body heat. This structure was built of logs, laid vertically, a construction technique used by both Union and Confederate Soldiers.
Enlisted Men’s Cabin
This cabin is essentially the same as its neighbor except that it was constructed of logs laid horizontally. The interior has two bunks for the four men who would have typically slept in the cabin. Bunks were built from available materials including wooden boxes, barrel staves, or slender saplings padded with hay, oak or pine leaves. Light was provided by candles or from the fireplace.
Officer’s Cabin
Civil War officers frequently had sufficient funds to enhance their winter quarters and also transportation for their personal baggage. Typical furnishings included a camp bed, chest, table and chairs. A wooden floor provided far greater comfort and sanitation than the traditional dirt floor of most cabins.
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 40° 12.3′ N, 77° 9.537′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Soldiers Drive west of Army Heritage Drive. Located along the Army Heritage Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 950 Soldiers Dr, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pine Cottage (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Robert W. Black (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Winter Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Colonel William Orlando Darby (within shouting distance of this marker); Specialist Fourth Class Robert D. Law (within shouting distance of this marker); A Century of Protection (within
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2023
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on July 13, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on March 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.