SUPERB CONFEDERATE TIN DRUM CANTEEN IDENTIFIED TO JOHN S. M. ROBERTSON, 23RD SOUTH CAROLINA INFANTRY (HATCH'S COAST RANGERS)

$2,500.00 SOLD

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Item Code: 458-17

Presented here is a strong and handsome Confederate tin drum canteen in super condition that is identified to John S.M. Robertson of Company "F", 23rd South Carolina Infantry, a.k.a. Hatch's Coast Rangers. The service records for John S. M. Robertson provide conflicting enlistment dates of 12.20.61 and 12.20.62. However, there are no muster roll records for Robertson for the entire year of 1862 as they begin with January 1863. Robertson was present with the regiment through February 1865. There is no indication of his date or method of discharge. The 23rd South Carolina Infantry regiment was assembled at Charleston, S.C. in November 1861. Most of the men were from Horry, Georgetown, Charlestown and Colleton counties. After being stationed in South Carolina, the regiment moved to Virginia and served with General Evens', Elliot's and Wallace's Brigade. It participated in the conflicts at 2nd Bull Run, South Mountain, and Antietam and was later ordered to North Carolina and Mississippi. The unit skirmished at Jackson, was sent to Charleston and in the Spring of 1864 returned to Virginia. It continued the fight in the trenches of Petersburg and around Appomattox. During Second Manassas, this regiment lost 68% of the 225 engaged and all its field officers were wounded. It reported 10 KIA, 22 wounded and five missing in the Maryland Campaign; totaled 297 men in October 1863 and had 49 killed or wounded at the Crater at Petersburg. The 23rd also suffered a number of wounded at Saylor's Creek and surrendered 5 officers and 103 men at Appomattox when the regiment mustered out on April 9, 1865.

Made of two concentric pieces of medium-gauge tin soldered to a narrow tin rim, this specimen still retains its tin spout and its two narrow tin sling loops. Tin drum canteens were utilized before the war by militia troops from both North and South and this type of field accoutrement even saw service during the Mexican War. During the war between the States, Confederate tin drum canteens were produced in various shapes and sizes due to the multitude of small, local metal shops located throughout the South. This beautiful artifact measures 6 ¼" in diameter by 1 ¾" wide and features a flat face on both sides.

The tin metal sides are folded over with all seams still strongly soldered and not crimped. Canteen seams are tight and strong with no splits, cracks or breaks whatsoever. Missing is the cork or wooden plug for the spout and the folded over cotton sling. Face exhibits the light identification of the soldier in a handwritten style that is visible in the proper lighting. ID reads, "John S. Robertson / 23rd South Carolina / 3 miles from Crampton's Gap / Sep 14, 1862". By the middle of the war with southern bases like Nashville and New Orleans in Union hands, tin drum canteen production in the South became even more rough and less refined, causing a faze out of tin canteen products with replacements by the hardier and stronger wooden drum canteens. For reference, see Civil War Canteens by Stephen W. Sylvia and Michael J. O'Donnell, pages # 47-98. An excellent opportunity for the discriminating Confederate collector, this identified canteen is as good as they come and would make a fine addition to any Civil War soldier's display.

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