Chickens, hogs, and cattle were all transported with the armies on the march, with larger quantities slaughtered by civilian contractors and shipped to the front. While corn meal, hardtack, potatoes, beans, salt, sugar, and coffee were all part of a soldier's diet, meat remained the most important source of protein for men marching, working, and fighting on long campaigns. Napoleon once said, "An army marches on its stomach," meaning to have an effective army, the men must be fed. Sometimes buying, sometimes just taking, soldiers used private farms and barns to fill their bellies, often decimating local stores and herds.
When the armies didn't have enough, local animals served as meals. Millions more were processed in factories and salted for shipment to hungry soldiers. Columns of troops and wagon trains were often followed by huge herds of "beef on the hoof." Chickens, pigs, and cattle were slaughtered and served in camps. Many animals, especially cattle, were used as an important food source for both armies. Not all animals were lucky enough to be treated as heroic mascots or loyal mounts. The 26th Wisconsin, honoring the "Badger State," kept one of those ferocious animals as their mascot. There were also several regiments who kept bears as pets.
Other mascots included gamecocks, donkeys, and a camel named Douglas, who carried supplies for the 43rd Mississippi. He survived the war and lived in the Wisconsin capitol building until he was killed in a fire at the age of 44. One of the most famous mascots of the war was "Old Abe," a bald eagle, who flew over the 8th Wisconsin Volunteers at 36 different battles. Most mascots were dogs, but cats, pigs, and goats also served in that honorable position for units on both sides.
Army regulations made no provisions for mascots, but many units adopted them as symbols of loyalty and devotion.
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