Drunk ranger & frontiersmen?

[Homesteader]

Several of the books I read recently talk about groups like Roger's Rangers, the Queen's Rangers, some of the early trapping company men, etc. carrying straight or watered down rum in their canteens. Should I infer from this that the frontiersmen of the 18th century were running around drunk? Sort of like an earlier version of the western gunmen & whiskey?

I've only found passing reference to this, but I've found it in several different books. I'm curious if any of you have definitive info on this.

 

[J.D.]

The references to rum in canteens probably refers to grog. It was thought that the alcohol in rum purified drinking water. The rum, in the military context, could also make the troops a little "groggy" which helped them cope with the harsh conditions encountered during campaign season.

The rum ration, of the Brit military, was increased from a half gill of rum, to a full gill, or 4 oz of rum, due the the hard, rugged terrain, and harsh conditions in which the Brit Army had to contend.

So, yes, to a point. Many of the Brit military were sometimes a bit groggy as they went about their daily routine. Some weren't. As to the MTN men, it would depend on how much rum was used to purify their drinking water.

God bless

 

[fort fireman]

I've always heard like J.D. said, that the rum did not go bad like water did. they would carry the rum to pruify the water or just drink it straight. I've also heard thats why Rum kinda became synonamous(sp) with pirates and shipping. Rum stayed good long after the drinking water on a ship went bad. Plus a good rum is quite tasty!! :grin:

 

[Homesteader]

"Groggy"... Y'know, I never made that connection before! That's the etymology of that word, isn't it?

See there? This site is great! I ask for one little tidbit of info and I get two!

:hatsoff:

 

[Homesteader]

I do loves my black strap rum, Fort F. (And my scotch, and bourbon, and Irish whiskey, and...)
:grin:

 

[colmoultrie]

People in the eighteenth century drank a good deal more on average than people do today. Whereas the average per capita consumption of alcohol in the 1980's was about 3/4 gallon of pure alcohol per year, in the 1790's, it was 3 1/2 gallons! :shocked2: That increased to almost 4 gallons yearly per person in the 1820s before the influence of the 2nd Great Awakening and the temperance crusade took hold. Many people drank beer with breakfast and went through much of their day in a slight fog - somewhat "groggy."

By the way, Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey was cause enough to start a rebellion in western PA in 1794-95.

 

[Homesteader]

People in the eighteenth century drank a good deal more...

Well, maybe more than most folk, but I'm really dedicated to my reenacting... :rotf:

Y'know, the effective military opposition George Washington mounted against the Whiskey Rebellion may be the single thing I actually hold against him. :hmm:

On the other hand, I hold lots of things against Hamilton.

 

[gordy]

That was the start of "bootleggin" and why so many were in Kentucky!

 

[sequoia]

From what I understand the water quality was so bad then, it was safer to drink booze! Being a little "groggy" was better than things like dysentary. :barf:

 

[bkovire]

don't for get the beer!

 

[Shine]

Back when I was in the 10th mountain Div. At Fort Drum. I used to slip a shot of grain alcohol in my canteens. It kept the water from freezing. And it was not enough to slow my blood flow.

 

[Elnathan]

18th century rum was about 160 proof, I believe. I can't recall where I read that, though. "Grog" watered down rum, was actually about the same concentration as modern-day rum straight from the bottle.

Wish I could remember where I read that.

 

[Coot]

From a number of books on the Royal Navy and several websites on rum, the following tidbits are offered:

In 1731, a ration of a half pint of rum was considered equal to a gallon of beer by the RN.

The proof of the rum is subject to speculation but has been mentioned as both 150 and 160.

In 1740, Admiral Vernon (known as "Old Grog") (who has a well known home on the Potomac River named in his honor) cut his men's rum ration with water to reduce discipline issues caused by drunkenness and added lime or lemon juice as an anti scurvy measure. References to both a 2-1 and 4-1 ratio of water to rum are found.

The RN rum measure was gradually reduced over time until it was phased out in 1970.

Andrew Jackson is credited (blamed? :wink: ) as stopping the US military rum ration in 1832, substituting a coffee and sugar ration.