"not contented with pints; those
led to quarts, and quarts to gallons; and some swill as much as a hog."
-Officer Thomas Simes (Frey, 64)
Leisure activities in the British army resemble very much the leisure
activites of poorly-paid, over-worked laborers outside of the British
army. Your greatest solace is inevitably found in a pint of beer--or make
that five pints of beer--the daily ration for private soldiers. (Brereton,
37) Although the consumption of beer and spirits is believed by many officers
to enhance the performance of troops, instilling courage, strength and
high morale, alcohol also lends you the opportunity to escape from your
drab, depressing life of monotonous drills and smelly barracks. (Frey,
63) Besides, beer and spirits is the closesest you'll get to food between
today's midday-supper and tomorrow's breakfast.(Brereton, 37)
Detail from The March of the Guards to Finchley, William Hogarth, 1750
Consequently, drunkenness is widespread, and often considered among the greatest threats to military discipline. Soldiers not unlike yourself are often punished for public drunkenness, or insubordinate acts committed while under the influence of alcohol. During military campaigns, drunkenness is even more widespread. Cold and emotionally traumatized soldiers in America often seek solace in the huge, toxic stores of rum supplied to troops (usually a quart to for every six men.) Combined, the British army in America consumes over 360,000 gallons of rum per year. (Frey, 63) However, many officers express frustration at the detrimental effects of drunkenness on military exercises, as many soldiers are too sick, disoriented, or fatigued from early-morning rum-tots to keep up on marches, or to participate in drills. (Frey, 64)
All this in mind, you drink round after round at the grog shop, until you can no longer remember your name, or the name of your regiment, or the name of your Country!
Next: Your Punishment!