Civil War soldier’s ration can dug by Bill Blackman, Hansborough Ridge near Stevensburg VA

Being offered is an excavated Civil War ration can. It measures 4 ¼” high with a diameter of 3”. This can was dug many years ago by legendary relic hunter Bill Blackman at Hansborough Ridge, near Stevensburg, Virginia.

This area is a historically significant 2.5-mile-long promontory, located just east of Stevensburg in Culpeper County, Virginia.  It is recognized for its role in the Battle of Brandy Station and as a major Union winter encampment.

Over the years I had a few of these dug ration cans, but really not that many because of the nature of the tin, very few survived.  In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I show some of these cans (see pictures). I also show an example of a complete non-dug can. They may seem insignificant, but when you think about it, the last person who handled this can was a soldier prying it open and anxious to get to his meager meal.