Barracks Life in the 1880s

General explanatory text for this case

In this scene we can see the interior of a barracks, with the individual bunks in place. A shelf is on the wall above each bunk and a wooden footlocker at the foot of the bed for storage of the soldier's uniforms and few personal belongings. Circular racks in the center of the barrack hold the weapons for the company, under lock and key.

Context for the period

While soldiers in the field lived in tents, popularly known as "dog" or "pup" tents, troopers in permanent posts lived in barracks. Usually these were built to accommodate a full company of 100 men, but in the late 19th Century units were chronically under strength so troops enjoyed more space than regulations allowed.

Scientific studies were made to improve living conditions and medical advances helped reduce the still-high number of deaths from disease and poor sanitation practices which plagued both military and civilian communities.

For the first time, soldiers barracks bunks were made for an individual, instead of larger wooden "bunk beds" where two men would share the space, as "bunkies."

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