This vivid memoir offers an in-depth look at the daily life of a Union soldier during the American Civil War. John D. Billings, a veteran himself, recounts the mundane and extraordinary aspects of military life, from camp routines and food rations to the chaos of battle. With a focus on the experiences of the common soldier, Hard Tack and Coffee provides a richly detailed and often humorous portrayal of Civil War hardships, camaraderie, and survival.