Here is one of the most pleasing and handsome examples of an identified Confederate wooden drum canteen to surface in a while. This specimen is identified to Corporal Hardin S. Payne (also listed as Paine) of Company D and G, 1^st Alabama Infantry, CSA.

Payne enlisted on March 22, 1861 at Montgomery, AL as a Private in [Old] Co. G, 1^st Alabama for a term of twelve months service. Co. G. later became (New) Co. D, 1^st Alabama. Company muster roll for the period July 31 – Oct. 31 1861 indicates that his enlisted was extended an additional two years and his rank is now Corporal; Payne was to be paid $50 bounty, due Jan. 14, 1862. Listed as on furlough to his residence in January 1862. Payne was taken prisoner at Island No. 10 on 4/8/62 and is listed on the rolls of Prisoners of War AT Camp Butler, Springfield, IL. His name is on a roll as being sent to Vicksburg on 9/23/62 to be exchanged, though a later company muster roll describing the regiment’s participation in action occurring between April and July 1862, reads in part, “The enlisted men of the Co were paroled by Gen. Banks USA and returned home where they remained until ordered to report at Cahaba the 19 Sept 1863. It remained here until exchanged when under the command of Maj. Knox…was ordered to Meridian”.  Payne was taken prisoner again at Port Hudson on 7/9/63, paroled there on 7/12-7/13/63. He died of disease at Port Hudson on July 20, 1863.

This regiment was noted for several “firsts” during the war. It is credited with being the first Alabama regiment to enlist for one year, the first to enlist, and it has the distinction of having served through several re-organizations from the very beginning to the end of the conflict. The 1^st Alabama Infantry assembled in Pensacola, FL in March 1861 and was composed of mostly state men who were assigned to the Confederate Army’s artillery batteries, where they prepared for the defense of the state. They soon earned the title of “Bragg’s best artillerists”. The regiment took part in the Battle of Santa Rose in Florida, the Pensacola bombardment, the battle of Island #10 where the regiment men lost a large number due to capture. The 1^st also took part in the Battle of Corinth and the Siege of Port Hudson where many of the remaining men in the regiment were captured.

As with most wood drum canteens produced during the war, this circular specimen appears to be made of cedar or cherry wood and measures 7” in diameter and 2” in width. Typical of the canteens carried by many Southern soldiers during the Civil War, Corporal Payne’s drum-style canteen is simple and well-constructed and is in remarkably fine condition. It exhibits the soldier’s name, “CORP H. S. PAYNE”, stamped in ¼” high letters on the face of one side. Below is stamped, “CO. D 1^ST ALA REGT / 1863”. The stampings are clear and strong. Opposite side of the canteen is void of any visible markings.

The canteen face on each side is of unusual construction with both sides slightly concave. The major of Confederate wood drum canteens we have encountered have faces that are lathe-turned. This example was probably finished after the turning was completed. Two circular iron bands, each ¼” wide, encompass the canteen’s outer edges and act as clamps with each band overlapped and held in place with a single small iron rivet. Both iron bands are strong and exhibit a moderate amount of old rust oxidation original to the piece. Located an equal distance apart on the exterior width of this canteen are two shaped iron sling loops set into grooves cut into the wood slats.

Most interesting with this canteen specimen is its unusual leather carry strap or sling. Sling is made from the entire length of dark brown, russet leather strap that was previously part of a Confederate cartridge box. Sling is approximately 2” wide and over 50” long and is complete, save that it suffers from a single break in the leather near one strap loop on the canteen. This very rare and original CS leather strap encircles the canteen via the canteen’s metal belt loops with the billets of the strap. Leather is remarkably strong and intact with no flaking or crazing of the surface. Some stressed areas overall but no rot. Canteen is missing its original wooden spout. A most attractive canteen, it has acquired a pleasingly smooth and mellow, dark cherry coloring overall.

The soldier’s Confederate military records from the National Archives in Washington, DC accompany the canteen.

A super “Johnny-canteen”, this specimen is a fantastic opportunity for the Confederate collector.  [ra/ld]

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