Confederate Tin Drum Canteen, belonged to a soldier in 27th Arkansas Infantry

Being offered is the typical Confederate Tin Drum Canteen. It has a diameter of 6 ¼”, 2 ¼’ wide, has the three strap guides, and the tin spout is 1” high. This canteen belonged to Private Hiram Clark. He mustered into Company “I”, 27^th Arkansas Infantry (date unknown).

This regiment was formed in the summer of 1862 with men from the northern section of the state. It was assigned to R. G. Shaver's, Tappan's brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. In the spring of 1864, it was united with the 38th Ark. Infantry Regiment. It fought at Prairie Grove, Bayou Fourche and Jenkins' Ferry where the consolidated command lost four killed and 22 wounded. The unit was included in the surrender of the Trans-Mississippi Department on June 2, 1865.

This canteen matches examples of Confederate canteens from each theater of the Civil War. They were simple in material and construction; the body of this tin canteen is comprised of two slightly concaved halves soldered to a circular band.  All seams are intact and strongly connected.  Some light oxidation is present around the outer edges as shown, where interior and exterior moisture is most apt to collect.

On each side are minor scratches and some slight dents. Much of the tin features a gray to bright surface finish, while the interior of the spout and body show expected light surface rust from use. Perhaps the single most important item of a soldier’s kit, this basic Confederate canteen would be an excellent addition to any Civil War collection. In my book “The Civil War Canteen – Third Edition”, I show these canteens and go into more details (see pictures).