“Black Glass” Whiskey Bottle recovered from a Civil War campsite at Hilton Head Island, SC

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a Civil War wine/whiskey bottle. It is the typical “black glass”, actually a very dark green, measuring 10” high with a diameter of 3” at the base. It has the applied lip, air bubbles, stretch marks, and a crude kick-up base. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I discuss in detail the drinking habits of the Civil War soldiers and officers, there were instances of some officers leading men into battle while drunk (see pictures). It was recovered with another at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

On November 7, 1861, a Union naval squadron under the command of Flag Officer Samuel F. Dupont, with General Thomas W. Sherman in charge of the troops, sailed into Port Royal Sound and captured Hilton Head Island on the west and Ft. Beauregard on the east side of the sound.  The Battle of Port Royal was the largest naval engagement ever fought in American waters. 

The famous all black 54th Massachusetts Infantry arrived at Hilton Head Island on June 3, 1863. They then moved to Beaufort, South Carolina, and later to St. Simons Island, Georgia. The regiment's arrival at Hilton Head marked their first entry into the Department of the South.

This bottle is in very nice condition with no chipping or cracks. I show some period photographs of soldiers drinking from the same type of bottles (see pictures).