Soldier’s Hut [Replica]

Soldier’s Hut [Replica]. . , “December 19, 1779 – For two weeks we have been very diligently employed in building our Hutts. The weather has been rather against us, but we have got our buildings almost finished and find ‘em very comfortable – so that barring accidents I think the troops will have very good Winter Quarters.” – Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willet, 3rd New York Regiment, By 1779, after past winter encampment high death rates due in part to poor construction, General Washington ordered huts, like these replicas, to be built to strict dimensional standards of 14 feet wide by 16 feet long and front walls 6½ feet high to the eaves of the roof. All huts were built on the sides of hills to ensure proper drainage and in straight lines. Each hut was home to 12 soldiers where they cooked and ate their meager rations, warmed their frozen bodies and slept until reveille called them to duty the next morning.