This regulation model 1858 canteen was manufactured at the Cincinnati Depot and has the expected tin spout. 95% of its course cloth covering is intact with minor period darning on the obverse. The corked stopper is in place attached by its original cord and the heavy linen strap is full length. This canteen was worn during the Civil War by Sergeant Seth Cole of the 113th Illinois Infantry. It is nicely stenciled "113" over "A". On the strap in 1/2 inch inked, possibly stamped, letters are "S.R.C". The cup is the large size and is in excellent condition.

Cole enlisted in Chicago in August 1862 and was honorably discharged in 1865. His experiences were those of this fighting regiment: "Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign. "Tallahatchie March," November 26-December 12, 1862. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 20, 1862-January 2, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. (Cos. "C," "D," "F," "I" and "K" guard prisoners North after Arkansas Post, and retained in Illinois on guard duty until October, 1864, when rejoined Regiment at Memphis, Tenn.) Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-22, and duty there until March. Expedition to Rolling Fork, Miss., via Muddy, Steele's and Black Bayous and Deer Creek March 14-27. Near Deer Creek March 22. Demonstration on Haines' and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2. Movement to Jackson, Miss., via Grand Gulf, May 2-14. Jackson May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Ordered to Memphis, Tenn.; thence to Corinth, Miss., and Post duty there until January, 1864. At Memphis, Tenn., until June, 1865. Sturgis' Expedition Into Mississippi June 1-13, 1864. Near Colliersville, Tenn., June 10. Brice's (or Tishamingo) Creek, near Guntown, Miss., June 10. Ripley June 11. Repulse of Forrest's attack on Memphis August 21, 1864. Eastport, Miss., October 10, 1864. Mustered out June 20, 1865. Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 25 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 273 Enlisted men by disease. Total 303." Cole narrowly escaped capture and Andersonville at the Union route at Brice's Crossroads in 1864.

This canteen and cup with his cartridge box (now missing) were in a significant collection for half a century. Canteen and cup have untouched looks.   [pe] [ph:L]

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