Typical Confederate spherical tin drum canteen that meas. approx. 6.25 inches across the face and is 1.50 inches in width. The three sling keepers attached to the sides are very small but all three are present. The spout is long and wide and meas. approx. 1.50 inches high x 1.00 inch wide at the top.

The body of the canteen is in excellent condition with no dings, dents or holes of any kind. Passing through the three narrow sling keepers is what looks to be the original string sling. The body of the string is covered with twisted or woven cloth. The sling has broken near its apex.

A close inspection of the canteen side panels reveals that one has numerous light scratches that look like aborted attempts at artwork. Among these scratches is a name that comes through clear as can be “HOWARD MCILVAINE.” A search of two sources failed to reveal a Confederate by that name and only one Union soldier turns up.

Howard McIlvaine (sometimes spelled McIlvain) first enlisted at Reading, Pennsylvania for three months service. On April 18, 1861 he enlisted as a Private in Company A, 25th Pennsylvania Infantry. Private McIlvaine’s name appears on the roster of The First Defenders of the Capital from Pennsylvania. The 25th Regiment was discharged at Harrisburg on July 26, 1861.

Next, McIlvaine was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in Battery D, Pennsylvania Light Artillery commanded by Captain George W. Durell on September 24, 1861. The battery saw action at Kelly’s Ford, Bristoe Station, 2nd Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Amissville and Sulphur Springs. The last named action took place on November 15, 1862. It was in this action that Lieutenant McIlvaine was killed by an artillery shell.

A newspaper report of the battle at Sulphur Springs explains how Confederate batteries on the far side of the Rappahannock River opened up on a Union wagon train. Durell’s battery went into action on the Union side of the river and for an hour traded shots with the Confederates 20-pound guns. The news report continues “Early in the fight Lieutenant Howard McIlvain was struck by a shell, which carried away his arm, side, thigh, and his hip, laying open his entrails and causing one of the most fearful wounds ever recorded. The brave and unfortunate young man lay in most horrible agony, raving from pain a great portion of the time, from the moment of receiving his wound till 8 o’clock this morning, when he was relieved from his sufferings by death. He said to a friend, as he lay writhing in agony, that he was not afraid to die, he only wished that death might come soon to rid him of the dreadful pain suffered. The deceased was from Reading, Pennsylvania and had been in service since the opening of the war, having served with Captain Durell in the three months volunteers.”

With the item are Lieutenant McIlvaine’s records from the National Archives, a print out of a photograph of him found on-line and a Xerox of the above report of his death.

This canteen, which must have been prized by the Lieutenant, is a tangible relic of a brave officer who gave his young life to preserve the Union.

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