This regimentally marked New York Depot canteen was picked up by an Alabama soldier at Cold Harbor Virginia after the doomed Union attack of June 3, 1864. As part of the Star Brigade, Heckman's (1st) Brigade, 2d Division, 18th Corps commanded by Gen. George H. Stannard, the 25th Massachusetts was in that general assault at Cold Harbor, June 3. Here the 25th lost 75 killed, 122 wounded, and 32 prisoners, a total of 229 or 76 per cent of the 300 officers and men who reported for duty that morning.

On the cloth covering on the canteen one can readily see stenciled in three lines:  "G.-" (soldier's initials); "Co. C"; "25 M---" This bottom line certainly reads "25 Mass. Regt." but this has been partially masked by a display tag, applied perhaps a century ago, and fabric loss. The aged tag itself reads: "PROJECTILE STRUCK UNION CANTEEN PICKED UP BY W.T. CARLISLE CSA ON THE COLD HARBOR BATTLEFIELD IN JUNE 1864. " BEQUEST OF E.C. CARLISLE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM."  Below this one barely can see, "----- Chapter ---".

The canteen was at one time displayed at a Southern United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter Hall. W. T Carlisle was a soldier in the 44th Alabama Infantry and his record reflects that he was indeed with the Army of Northern Virginia at Cold Harbor in June of 1864. Mr. E.C. Carlisle was his son.

The canteen on its obverse clearly shows the impact of a projectile. This has mutilated and flattened the pewter spout and caused a significant dent in the tin body of the canteen itself. Brown cloth covering is 85% intact and the linen shoulder strap is full length and in fine condition. A great museum worthy relic!  [pe] [ph:L]

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