Excavated Civil War Canteen, recovered by Dean Thomas at Brandy Station, VA

Being offered is the typical Union smoothside canteen. It is mostly flattened and the spout gone, but the three strap loops are still attached. It was dug by the late well-known author, historian, and relic hunter Dean Thomas.  He recovered it at the Brandy Rock Farm at Brandy Station during the Division #5 Relic Hunt.        

The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the Civil War, as well as the largest ever to take place on American soil. It was fought on June 9, 1863, around Brandy Station, Virginia, at the beginning of the Gettysburg Campaign. The Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton went up against Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry.

Pleasonton launched a surprise dawn attack on Stuart and after an all-day fight in which fortunes changed repeatedly, the Federals retired without discovering Gen. Robert E. Lee's infantry camped near Culpeper. This battle marked the end of the Confederate cavalry's dominance in the East. From this point in the war, the Federal cavalry gained strength and confidence.

The example being offered here could have been used by either a Union or Confederate soldier. It remains just as found, only coated for preservation. In my book “The Civil War Canteen – Third Edition” I show many similar dug canteens (see pictures). This is a great piece for any collection and can even be appreciated more coming from Dean’s personal collection.