This Civil War artifact is a wonderful, partially identified example of the early Model 1858 ‘smoothside-pattern’ canteen in fine condition but missing the sling, cover and cork stopper. Typical of what Federal troops carried during the war, this pleasing example was the property of Union soldier Oliver Cromwell Case, a private in Company ‘B’, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

He was a twenty-one year old farmhand in Simsbury when he mustered in at Hartford on September 27, 1861 for a three year term.  Case along with the entire regiment departed Hartford on October 17, 1861 for Annapolis, MD where the unit served until January 1862. It then became part of Burnside’s Expedition to Hatteras Inlet in early 1862.   In September, the young infantryman found himself a battle veteran from the South Mountain fight at Turner’s Gap, MD on 14 September 1862. Three days later, on September 17, his unit was engaged with the rebels during the Battle of the Antietam where Oliver Case was killed in action.

Case’s tin canteen is a Model 1858 smoothside specimen that consists of two circular sections of pressed tin formed in an oblate spheroid pattern, soldered together along the rim.  The tin body exhibits strong and tight soldered seams with no separation along the edges.  Sides have one shallow depression on each side.  The pewter spout is in fine shape and has what appears to be initials lightly hand scratched unto the spout. Letters hard to discern.

Identified artifacts, such as this canteen, are becoming harder to locate in the collecting market and this fine, identified specimen would make an outstanding addition to any Civil War display or Connecticut collection. [ad] [ph:L]

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