During the Civil War, efforts were made to supply Thanksgiving dinners to soldiers in the field.
Major Wilder Dwight of the Second Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry reported on the regiment’s Thanksgiving menu. The men were served 95 turkeys weighing 997 ½ pounds, 76 geese weighing 666 pounds, 73 chickens weighing 165 pounds and 95 servings of plum pudding weighing 1174 pounds.