Item is a Model 1858 smoothside canteen minus the cover, sling and cork stopper. The spout and all three sling keepers are present. The entire body of the canteen is painted black with the spout and sling keepers painted gold.

The obverse body has a bald eagle in flight over two crossed US flags. The eagle is well done with a white head and yellow beak. The eagle’s body is two different shades of brown to highlight feathers on the tail and wings. Paint of the eagle is 98%. The crossed staffs that hold the two flags are somewhat subdued while the red and white stripes, blue field and white stars are good. Colors are not bright but they are easily seen.

Upon closer inspection the outline, and some details, of another US flag can barely be seen under the flag on the right. Apparently the artist felt this flag was too low, painted over it, and painted another higher up. Due to wear over the years this painted-over flag is now slightly visible.

In gold paint below the flags is “J W C, 1861 / 20^th ME. REG Co. K” in two lines. One or two letters have worn a little but all are visible.

The reverse side has a gold bordered rectangle that contains a coastal or river scene of green trees, brown rocks and blue water with a blue sky and white clouds. The painting meas. approx. 4.50 x 3.50 inches. Approx. 85% of the paint remains. There are some stray letters in gold around the edges of the painting but due to age and wear most the paint is gone making the wording indecipherable.

The body of the canteen has a small dent on the obverse with a slightly larger one on the reverse. The dent on the obverse is mostly between the flag staffs while the dent on the reverse is at center of the painting, but it does not detract. There are also minor scattered scratches and wear spots throughout the body’s surface.

Of course the 20^th Maine is well-known in Civil War circles for its stand on Little Round Top on July 2, 1863 and their history need not be repeated here.

A search of the 20^th Maine, Company K roster shows the initials match James W. Clark of whom little is known. Clark resided in Knox, Maine. He enlisted as a Private on August 29, 1862 when he was 25 years old. He was with the regiment at Shepherdstown and Fredericksburg. Private Clark was discharged for disability on March 9, 1863.  He died April 23, 1891 at the age of 53 and is buried in Detroit Village Cemetery, Detroit, Maine.

Nice souvenir canteen from one of the most sought after regiments in Civil War collecting.

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