Potatoes were almost never properly cooked, even when apparently well done, a raw core would frequently be found in the center. Coffee was, at times, only a little stronger than water, at others it was like lye. But rice, white beans and dried apples gave the amateur cooks the most trouble.
In fact, Johnson took his criticism a step further.
Good cook stoves and serviceable utensils were furnished by the Government, in addition to rations in abundance and of exceptional quality. The lame factor was in the food's preparation. Had it been possible for the Government to have supplied newly-enlisted companies with good cooks till others could have been trained, an untold amount of sickness would have been prevented, and many graves would have remained unfilled, not to speak of the many thousands who were discharged from the service by reason of ailments due to ill-prepared food.
