Painted Canteen

Description:

Physical Description

Round metal painted with camp scene.

Specific History

This canteen was said to have been used at Gettysburg.

General History

The scene painted on this canteen is a snapshot of camp life, preserved as a memento of the war like a letter home or a diary entry. At right, a soldier appears to be on guard duty beside a tent over which flies an American flag. To the left, another soldier sits on a log before a fire. The scene evokes the rituals and chores of camp life: pitching tents, standing guard, gathering firewood, and preparing food. Soldiers accustomed to the orderliness of camp life as depicted here faced a stark contrast when they entered battle at Gettysburg and other chaotic killing grounds. Memories of camp and its monotonous routine could be soothing to men who endured grueling campaigns, which may explain why this unknown soldier-artist chose to depict that theme on an object that meant much to him.

Used: United States: Pennsylvania

Related Event: Civil WarBattle of Gettysburg, 1863Civil War and Reconstruction

Subject:

See more items in: Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military, Civil War, Military

Exhibition: Price of Freedom

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Credit Line: Estate of Stephen Earl Hagerman

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1996.0340.01Accession Number: 1996.0340Catalog Number: 1996.0340.01

Object Name: canteenOther Terms: canteen; Individual Equipment; Army

Physical Description: metal (overall material)cork (overall material)Measurements: overall: 22.5 cm x 16.8 cm x 6.5 cm; 8 27/32 in x 6 5/8 in x 2 9/16 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0584-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_687129

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