Remains of a Civil War Pistol Powder Flask, recovered at Cedar Creek, VA

This is another nice item being offered, it is an excavated Civil War Powder Flask. It is the pewter body of the flask; the brass spout is gone. It measures 3 ¼” x 2” and on one side is “C C”, this is for Cedar Creek, where it was recovered.

The Battle of Cedar Creek, fought on October 19, 1864, was the culminating battle of the Valley Campaign of 1864. Confederate General Jubal Early launched a surprise attack against the encamped army of General Philip Sheridan, across Cedar Creek, near Strasburg, Virginia. During the morning fighting, seven Union infantry divisions were forced to fall back and lost numerous prisoners and cannons. Early failed to continue his attack north of Middletown, and Sheridan, dramatically riding to the battlefield from Winchester, was able to rally his troops to hold a new defensive line. A Union counterattack that afternoon routed Early's army.

At the conclusion of this battle, the final Confederate invasion of the North had effectively ended. The Confederacy was never again able to threaten Washington, D.C. through the Shenandoah Valley. While securing Sheridan with lasting fame, the battle ended the career of General Early. It also helped to assure the re-election of Abraham Lincoln, who needed a victory to inspire the war-weary North. Two future U.S. presidents, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley served on the field at Cedar Creek, as did the future legendary General George Custer.

This is a solid little piece and currently on the website I have a non-dug complete example of this same flask (see pictures).