Section of Civil War Canteen with spout, stopper and chain, dug Manassas

This is a very interesting piece being offered, it is a dug top section of a canteen, still having the spout, stopper and chain. I have dealt with hundreds of canteens, both dug and non-dug, and this is something that I do not recall seeing – especially with the cork still with it. It was probably dug in a marshy area to preserve it. It was recovered years ago from the Manassas (Bull Run) Battlefield in Virginia.

The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the Battle of Manassas, marked the first major land battle of the Civil War. On July 21, 1861, Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia. The engagement began when about 35,000 Union troops marched from the federal capital in Washington, D.C. to strike a Confederate force of 20,000 along a small river known as Bull Run.

After fighting on the defensive for most of the day, the rebels rallied and were able to break the Union right flank, sending the Federals into a chaotic retreat towards Washington. The Confederate victory gave the South a surge of confidence and shocked many in the North, who realized the war would not be won as easily as they had hoped.

The canteen was probably dropped by either a Union or Confederate soldier during the fighting. In my book “The Civil War Canteen – Third Edition”, I show and discuss many different canteens (see pictures).