Civil War wine bottle recovered at a campsite in Richmond, VA

This is another nice piece being offered, it is a dug Civil War wine/champaign bottle. The bottle is light olive-green color and measures 10” high x 2 ¾” diameter at the base. It was found years ago in a Union campsite outside of Richmond.

They are immediately recognizable having the classic green coloring. An identical example was recovered from the Civil War ship SS Republic. The SS Republic was a Civil War-era sidewheel steamship that sank in 1865 while carrying a large cargo of silver and gold coins and a stunning variety of everyday wares essential to life in mid-19th century America (see pictures).

The most notable feature is the more defined indention on the bottom known as a “kick-up” or “punt”. One theory is that the punt helps strengthen the heavy glass bottle so that it can withstand the pressure of carbonation.

The bottle is kind of dirty but in nice condition with just the regular flaws of dug bottles. An old paper label remains on the bottle, but has faded quite a bit stating “RICHMOND, VA”.