Tin drum canteen. Approx. 6 3/8 x 1 1/2 x 6 5/8 in.

One of the canteen's faces has been inscribed as follows: "Salmon C. Rodgers / Kingston, Ohio". Rodgers (alt. Rogers, 1833-1922) mustered into Company K of the 155th Ohio Infantry on 8 May, 1864. The regiment, which served for only 100 days, was raised to relieve more experienced units of routine duties. As such, they were involved in no major battles, though the men participated in a contraband raid at Elizabeth City, North Carolina; perhaps it was here that Rodgers claimed his trophy. He would be discharged due to disability at around the time that the 155th mustered out in August, 1864. 

The drum canteen was used by Northern and Southern militias alike prior to the Civil War. During the war, the style would see continued use and production only within the Confederate states. Accordingly, given that it was captured during wartime, this example is authentically Confederate, whether produced for the Confederacy or pre-war for a militia. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms]