This is a regulation 1858 pattern corrugated canteen with the spout stamped “PHILAD.” and “J.H.R.” following an August 1862 order for contractors supplying the Philadelphia Depot to place their initials on the canteen. This was the earliest form of contractor John H. Rohrman’s marking, and comes from a late 1862 contract for this ten-ring style of canteen. This particular canteen was issued to private George Durrant, who enlisted in 1862 and served in the 146^th New York and the Veteran Reserve Corps, and decorated by him or a family member as a memento of his service.

The canteen is painted red, white, and blue, along with a U.S. flag on one side and “War of 1861” on the other, along with Durrant’s name and unit. This was not uncommon among veterans who wished to display war relics, but perhaps make them a bit more decorative for show in a parlor or study. The white portions show as gold, likely from an amber varnish shifting in tone, but was perhaps an aesthetic choice.

One side was colored in three V-shaped sections, with a U.S. flag on a staff with cords and tassels shown curling in a breeze at upper center. The name “Geo. DURRANT” appears below that, following the contour of the raised ring in gold-highlighted black letters. The other side the center was painted with a blue circle bearing, “WAR OF 1861” in red and white painted letters across its center. Around the blue center are concentric white (gold) and red bands. At upper left on the outermost, red, band, lettered in black ink, is “Company H 146 Reg.” and on the right, “N.Y.S. VOLUNTEERS.”

The sling brackets are in place and the canteen was obviously meant to be hung upright on the wall. The side with the concentric bands looks spotty, but that is mostly chipping exposing the underlying white paint. The side with the flag shows some wear to the paint on the raised rings, showing a few dots or narrow lines of the tin finish of the metal underneath.

Durrant, born in England, was a 21 year-old butcher who enlisted at Utica, NY, on 8/22/62 and mustered into Co. H of the 146^th NY as a private on 10/10/62. The regiment spent its entire service in the 5^th Corps in the Army of the Potomac, adopted zouave dress, and may be best known for its defense of Little Round Top and fighting at the Wilderness. Muster roll abstracts show Durrant served with his company until June 1863 when he was detailed to assist the regiment’s medical staff as a hospital attendant, which would still place him on the field of battle. At some point in May 1864, he was apparently taken sick and at an unstated date was transferred to Company F of the 18^th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, serving with them until muster out 2 August 1865. This places him with the 146^th at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Williamsport, Bristoe Station, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, and perhaps the Wilderness, though we don’t know the exact date he was taken sick. The regiment as a whole, had an excellent fighting record and made its share of sacrifices, losing 154 officers and men killed or mortally wounded and another 180 who were wounded and survived.

Durrant returned to Oneida County, NY, where we find him living in New Hartford in 1880, working as a packer at a cotton mill, and living with his wife, daughter, and two sons. He died in 1911 and is buried in Utica. Whether he painted the canteen or it was one of the family does not matter much. It is very much in the style of relics decorated for home display by veterans as the twenty-fifth and thirtieth anniversaries of the war were commemorated and veterans’ activities reached a high-point. The use of the term “War of 1861” on the canteen is also reminiscent of wartime identification discs and pins, showing he was really thinking about his youth.  [sr] [ph:L]

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