Civil War Canteen recovered at Oak Ridge, Gettysburg, from Battlefield Military Museum

This is a nice museum piece being offered; it is the typical smooth-side Union canteen. At one time it was painted in a rust color and stenciled on one side of the canteen is “OAK RIDGE”. This is the area of the 1^st Day’s Battle of Gettysburg, where it was picked up as a souvenir not long after the battle. It was deacessed from the Battlefield Military Museum in Gettysburg, which is now closed. This canteen and many other artifacts were sold at auction in Gettysburg in October 2024.

The Battlefield Military Museum was established in 1963 to display the massive militaria collection of the late George Marino. Over 7,000 pieces made up the two floors of exhibits and included many Gettysburg items. The American Battlefield Trust acquired the brick museum and the four acres it stands on and will be demolishing the building and returning the terrain to its 1863 appearance. The tract is located on the slopes of East Cemetery Hill, abutting the Baltimore Pike and sitting just below the crest of the Union artillery position on Stevens Knoll.

On the first day of the battle, Union soldiers held stubbornly against the Confederate advance. By 3:30 p.m., however, the entire Union line along McPherson Ridge had begun to crumble. Along Oak Ridge, Union soldiers held their position on July 1, until they were driven through town after 4 p.m. to Cemetery Hill.

The canteen is in very nice condition, indicative of its early recovery. It was on display for decades at the museum and still has the wire with it that was used for displaying. In my book “The Civil War Canteen – Third Edition”, I discuss these canteens and Gettysburg. This would make a nice addition to any Civil War or Gettysburg collection.