G.A.R. souvenir canteen from the 1900 Chicago Encampment.  This event was the 34^th Annual National Encampment, held from August 26^th-30^th 1900.  This is a miniature smooth sided canteen, painted with a beautiful national eagle with shield, the slogan “We Drank From the Same Canteen” painted along the upper edge in a semi-circular pattern.  At the bottom is “Chicago 1900.”  The back of the canteen has a plain surface with a cream-colored paint.  A 36” tri-colored sling is anchored to brass hooks at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions.  This sling has a 1” section of minor fraying where it was likely hung and displayed from, the remainder of the sling is in excellent condition.  The spout is painted blue and no cork stopper is present.  The outer seem of the canteen is painted gold.

The origin of the slogan is from John D. Billings’ famous Civil War book “Hardtack and Coffee” which features a poem by Miles O’Reilly, one of the stanzas being:

“We have shared our blankets and tents together,
And have marched and fought in all kinds of weather,
And hungry and full we have been;
Had days of battle and days of rest,
But this memory I cling to and love the best,
We drank from the same Canteen!”

A gorgeous item for the G.A.R. collector, one that has been cared for and prized by previous owners and reflects the fraternity among Civil War veterans.   [JC]

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