Canteen has all four sling-keepers but is missing spout. The body is rusted throughout but is still solid. It appears to have been hit on one side by a pistol ball which traveled upward and struck the spout on its way out. This in turn tore the body in this area and caused the spout to be knocked off. The center of the backside also has what appears to be an exit hole. Along the bottom edge there is a tear in the body that looks to have been done from being in the freezing and thawing ground. This canteen was dug by the late Bill Gavin at Battery Dantzler at Bermuda Hundred and is so marked in white paint along the top edge on one side.Previously sold as item# 601-39.

Battery “Dantzler” was named for Col. Olin Dantzler of the 22^nd S.C. Volunteers, who was killed in action on June 2, 1864. It was constructed in May 1864 to prevent federal gunboats from approaching Richmond. It was abandoned Aril 2, 1865, with the fall of Richmond. While in existence it contained six guns—2 seven inch Brooke Rifles, 2 ten inch Columbiads, and two siege mortars.  [jp]

This item is from the collection of, and was dug by, the late William G. "Bill" Gavin (1924 - 2010) was one of the nation's most prominent and esteemed Civil War relic collectors. Following graduation from West Point [Class of 1946], Gavin became a pioneer in applying WWII mine-detector technology to relic hunting. Along the way, he became an avid historian whose collection, with its origins dating back to the 1930's, was enhanced by his acute knowledge of battlefield troop movements. His service to his country included six years in the U.S. Army, followed by a seven year period in which he was a member of the U.S. Army (Ready) Reserve.

Mr. Gavin shared his Civil War knowledge via the publication of four books and several magazine articles. In 1963 he authored one of the earliest books on relic buckles (Accoutrement Plates North and South, 1861-65), and in the 1970s established the Rectory Museum in Harper's Ferry, while becoming owner of The Cliffside Inn. He was also the owner of Happy Retreat, the 18th century home of Charles Washington, youngest brother of George Washington, located in Charles Town, WV.  The Horse Soldier joins the national Civil War community in mourning Bill Gavin’s passing, and is proud to be able to offer items from his exceptional collection.

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