This item is from the collection of the Peter Miller Post #551 of the GAR. The Post was located in York Springs, Adams County, Pennsylvania and is believed to be named after Private Peter Miller of Company K, 1^st Pennsylvania Reserves who was killed in action at South Mountain on September 14, 1862 and is now buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, York Springs.

Little information is known about the Post other than it closed sometime before 1925. In a letter accompanying the item collector Tom Gordon explains how he and his father found the relics from the Miller Post #551 in the 1970’s at the home of Civil War veteran David Starry. At the time the items were purchased the house was in the hands of Starry’s descendants. Mr. Starry had served in the 165th Pennsylvania Infantry and the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry during the war and afterward joined the Peter Miller Post #551 of the GAR.

This medical tin meas. approx. 4.75 inches high x 4.50 inches across the bottom. The surfaces have darkened some with age and the top section has some light surface rust. It has a short spout at top center that still holds what appears to be the original cork stopper. The bottom front of the item has the remains of the original paper label. The only printing that remains is the word “PHILADELPHIA.”

Attached to the side of the can is a very old paper label with a number “48” in the lower left hand corner. The label has “GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA” in an old ink script. There is also a small piece of bed ticking material tied around the spout.

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