Civil War soldier’s sardine can, recovered at Fort Stevens, VA

Being offered is an excavated sardine can, measuring 4 ½” x 3” x 1”. What is unusual is that the can is complete; the soldier just cut an opening on one end. It was recovered at a Fort Stevens site in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Fort Stevens, formerly named Fort Massachusetts, was part of the extensive fortifications built around Washington, D.C. The fort was constructed in 1861 as "Fort Massachusetts" and later enlarged by the Union Army and renamed "Fort Stevens" after Brig. Gen. Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who was killed at the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia, on September 1, 1862. In 1861, it had a perimeter of 168 yards and places for 10 cannon. In 1862, it was expanded to 375 yards and 19 guns.

It guarded the northern approach to Washington City, the Seventh Street Turnpike. By 1864 Fort Stevens was one part of a 37-mile-long arrangement of fortifications, consisting of 68 forts intended to defend the capital.

Sardines were a favorite of Civil War soldiers – they were able to purchase them from the camp sutler. During that time, most cans of sardines were imported from France. Although rusted, this can remains very solid.