Coffee was a hot commodity in the Civil War . Union troops had it for breakfast , lunch , dinner . They were also able to get coffee from their own supply lines and use it as an alternative fuel source during long marches through hostile territory. The product reportedly tasted every bit as bad as you 'd imagine , and thanks to the corrupt dairymen who sold the army spoiled milk , it also tended to cause diarrhea . Blockade kept coffee had to get for Confederate troops .
Coffee was a hot commodity in the Civil War . Union troops had it for breakfast , lunch , dinner . They were also able to get coffee from their own supply lines and use it as an alternative fuel source during long marches through hostile territory. Blockade kept coffee had to get for Confederate troops .