IDENTIFIED CANTEEN – CORPORAL JOHN HEDDINGS, 172nd PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY

$295.00

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Item Code: 1256-12

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This unique m1858 Philadelphia Depot canteen has been identified to Corporal John Heddings of the 172nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company B.  It features characteristic concentric rings designed to add strength to the two tin halves of the canteen body. It retains its original stopper with cork (which has been wrapped in some type of cotton ribbon fabric to provide a tight fit into the spout), and each soldered strap loop remains firmly affixed to each side of the canteen.  A piece of loosely woven twine has been run through the loops to replace the original strap.  No cover is present and only light surface rust can be seen in localized areas – primarily on the center rings and some near the outer seam.  The integrity of the metal is unaffected and all soldering is strong.  The spout is unmarked.

Born on March 3, 1829, records show that John enlisted and was mustered in on October 28, 1862.  Though no residence was listed, Company B hailed primarily from Northumberland County.

The regiment mustered in for nine months service between October 27 and November 29, 1862, under the command of Colonel Charles Kleckner.  The regiment was assigned to larger formations which included:

Garrison duty at Yorktown, VA – assigned to the IV Corps, Department of Virginia to April 1863; Advance Brigade (West), IV Corps, Department of Virginia to June, 1863; 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, IV Corps to July 1863; 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XI Corps, Army of the Potomac to August 1863.

On the day after their arrival at Yorktown in December of 1862 with three other drafted regiments from Pennsylvania, Maj. General Erasmus Keyes, the IV Corps commander, wrote that he found the regiments to be “perfectly green” and that none of them were in a condition to meet the enemy in combat. Thus, he assigned the 172nd to the heavy artillery guns at Yorktown and they were not assigned to any brigade until April, 1863.

In June of 1863, the men of the 172nd offered to re-enlist for a further 6 months of service, which was accepted by the War Department.  However, when the War Department learned that the offer was contingent upon them serving in the Department of the Susquehanna, the offer was declined and the regiment was mustered out in August of 1863.

John mustered out with the regiment and passed away in 1905 at age 76.  He is buried at the Center Lutheran Church Cemetery in Montour County, Pennsylvania – alongside his wife and 7 children.  [sr] [ph:L]

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