July 2, 1863, Daily Citizen (Vicksburg, Mississippi)
We are indebted to Major Gillespie for a steak of Confederate beef alias meat. We have tried it, and can assure our friends that if it is rendered necessary, they need have no scruples at eating the meat. It is sweet, savory and tender, and so long as we have a mule left we are satisfied our soldiers will be content to subsist on it.