Early Militia canteen recovered from the Shiloh, TN Battlefield

This is another great canteen being offered, it is an early 19th century tin Militia Canteen. It has a diameter of 4 1/2” x 2 1/4” wide with a 1” tin spout - typical of the early 19th century period. It has three flat sling keepers, and each side has a slight convex face. It was recovered years ago from the Shiloh Battlefield.

The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was fought April 6 - 7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. The Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and was encamped principally at Pittsburg Landing.

 This was on the west bank of the river, where Confederate forces under Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard launched a surprise attack on Grant's army. The Confederates achieved considerable success on the first day but were ultimately defeated on the second day.

Being that Militia units started out as being local, a smaller size canteen was sufficient during their training exercises. I discuss these canteens in my new book “The Civil War Canteen – Third Edition” (see pictures).  When the Civil War broke out, many households still had these canteens from the War of 1812, and men carried them when they went off to war, especially in the South during the early battles.

This canteen has some small rust holes on the bottom, probably where water settled for many years, but overall a very solid piece. It would make a great addition to any Civil War collection.