HOUR BEFORE THE BATTLE

1 c. sherry or Madeira wine
dash bitters

Add the above to a mixing glass, stir, and serve in a wine glass.

From Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks by William Terrington, 1869

Comment: The subject of drinking was a rather delicate one in cookbooks of the Civil War era, since many of the authors of such books were also strong proponents of the Temperance movement, which discouraged the use of alcohol in anything except medicine (and some opposed even that.)

One anonymous author of a handbook issued to soldiers early in the war took a more realistic tone. While complete abstention was best, he said, any use of "Ardent Spirits" at least be postponed until the actual fighting was over with. The "artificial energy" they imparted, the author said, was apt to give out if the fighting was unexpectedly prolonged and would leave the imbiber in a weakened state at the worst possible moment.

For Mr. Terrington's concoction noted above, the biggest challenge might be to find access to sherry, Madeira and bitters while everyone else was running around getting ready to fight a war.

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