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Undoubtedly, one of the best methods for determining what the Confederate soldier looked like in the field is the examination of photographs taken in the field. Unfortunately, few such photos exist and we are left with a relatively small sample of photos of prisoners and the dead. However, by careful analysis of these images, much can still be learned.
In a recent review of the equipage of the Army of Northern Virginia using various photographic resources, I noticed a distinct trend starting around 1863. Starting at approximately this time, we begin to see uncovered Federal canteens appearing in Confederate ranks in surprisingly high percentages.
Even the neophyte shouldn't be surprised at the concept of Confederate soldiers carrying Federal equipment. Diaries and memoirs are replete with anecdotes of veterans equipping themselves with captured goods taken from the field after the victories of 1862 and early 1863. It is also widely accepted that the Confederate wooden canteens were difficult to fill/drink from and unpopular. Whatever the reasons for using those utilitarian items and for removing the covers when doing so, this was clearly a very popular practice among the Confederate veterans.
This image (Fig. 1) shows the famous sunken road at Fredericksburg and was taken soon after the fighting there during the battle of Chancellorsville. The casualty in the foreground is believed to have been a member of Barksdale's Brigade of Mississippians.
In amongst the debris of battle, there appears to be at least one Federal canteen at the base of the heap at center. Interestingly, when Confederate veteran A.C. Redwood sketched this scene in 1888, he included both the casualty in the foreground, and a rifleman wearing a Federal canteen without a cover. (Fig. 2)
No survey of Confederate soldiers would be complete without an analysis of this famous image of three prisoners taken at the battle of Gettysburg. (Fig. 3) Taken in July of 1863, all three individuals very clearly have Federal canteens. It has been suggested that these items were scavenged off the battlefield after the battle as Federal haversacks, knapsacks, blankets and a shirt are also in evidence. While the individual at right has a cover on his canteen and white webbing or drill sling, the other two are uncovered. (Fig. 4) The left example appears to be a standard US M1858 "smoothside" canteen and the center figure's canteen appears to be one of the various corrugated, or "bulls-eye" models produced in Philadelphia and elsewhere. It is interesting to note that both the uncovered canteens have leather slings. According to Earl J. Coates, these were discontinued by Federal QM by the winter of 1862/63. However, we will soon see that leather slings of various types commonly appear on Confederate used canteens.
In 1864, fighting again shifted to Virginia and to the bloodletting of Grant's overland campaign. This unfortunate Confederate infantryman was photographed where he fell on the Alsop Farm during the fighting at Spotsylvania. (Fig. 5) At his left side, we can clearly see an uncovered Federal canteen suspended from a leather strap. It is also interesting to note that his belt, haversack, and double-bag knapsack are also of Federal manufacture.
As an aside, by analyzing this image, we can likely discern the sad tale of this fellows last hours. He has a shirt or cloth wrapped around his right leg as a bandage. Notice also that his left arm is under the strap of his canteen and haversack and that his knapsack is pushed up under his neck. One can gather that this fellow was wounded in the leg, bound it as best he could, and was leaning back resting on his knapsack attempting to make himself comfortable for the help that came too late. (While analyzing these images for details most would consider trivial in the extreme is interesting, I think it is important to remember that these are human beings we are looking at and that we shouldn't view them merely as piles of interesting gear.)
This image (Fig. 6), also taken on the Alsop Farm, has a very interesting detail. This fellow's uncovered corrugated canteen is clearly suspended from a leather strap that has been split to allow the strap to go to either side of the canteen. While it is unclear if this is a field-modified strap or if it is a Confederate produced item, it appears in several images and may have been fairly common.
Taken at White House in June of 1864, this image (Fig. 7) is a detail from a larger panorama of Confederate prisoners taken after Cold Harbor. The central figure is clearly carrying an uncovered Federal canteen that appears to be slung from a leather strap.
One of the main holding areas for Confederate prisoners taken on this campaign was the famous Punch Bowl at Belle Plain. This image (Fig. 8) is a large panorama showing a huge number of Confederate prisoners. The central group (Fig. 9) is of interest for many reasons but here again we see another uncovered Federal canteen on another leather strap.
In April 1865, with their Confederacy shrinking around them and their cause lost, this Confederate infantryman fell in the fighting for Fort Mahone. (Fig. 10) This fellow, wearing an Irish-made Peter Tait jacket, is also carrying a corrugated canteen. Note the similarity to the leather strap in Figure 6 from 1864.
This image, courtesy of Dean Nelson, shows a line of Confederate prisoners taken at Five Forks. (Fig. 11) By viewing the detail, (Fig. 12) we can see four uncovered Federal canteen at least two of which are suspended by leather slings.
Clearly, a popular item for the Confederate soldier was an uncovered Federal pattern canteen suspended from a leather sling. While many of these slings may have been captured examples of the earlier Federal pattern, evidence suggests that similar items were being produced by the Confederate QM.
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