How To Defarb Your Canteen

Improve your impression quickly! Junk that blue canteen cover, ditch the chain, and stitch your info on it for a better impression. Make sure you get your canteen back from a water detail! Watch as Pvt. Hardway demonstrates a simple back stitch in this episode of Sharpshooter Minutes. For more info and documentation check out our website at: www.2ndUSSS.com

[@bzeak1121]

I never knew about the line numbers. I've seen Union units with their gear labeled but not really any confederates doing it so I just thought it was a Federal thing. But after watching this I went and found the actual Confederate Army Regulations manual circa 1863 which states the exact same thing. I've now brought it to the attention of my 1st Sergeant and we'll be holding a meeting about this at our next event in one week. Thank you for these videos. They're amazing.

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

Another fine video ... I've got to do this to my canteen. (LIKED the Video and please keep them coming)

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

Sgt. in the comment section - your web site address is missing a "."

[@ilikecymbals]

My memory may fail me, but I don't recall the regulation saying anything about embroidery on canteen covers? If I recall, the id is supposed to be painted on. In fact I have never seen an original canteen with embroidery. Also, I recall at least one arsenal used returned indigo wool salvaged from uniform coats to make canteen covers.

[@RedRunner328]

How can i keep the cork in my canteen from drying out, so i dont have to replace if so often?

[@Hi-lb8cq]

they also stenciled there initials with paint and makers marks on the spout

[@Hi-lb8cq]

what they did with the canteen cover in the video is the same thing I did with my blanket they call it chain stitch

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Thanks for watching and the info!

[@Hi-lb8cq]

Company D 2nd USSS thank you 4 the awsome video....I've been doing reenacting for along time...I used to belong to company G 6th U.S infantry out in San Diego

[@Hi-lb8cq]

Company D 2nd USSS but that was years ago!..

[@wadedog4280]

Do you have the regulations on marking equipment like the haversack also for each branch if its different?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

You'll find reference in several manuals in the 1861 Uniform Regulations you'll see: "36. Such articles as belong to companies are to be marked with the letter of the company, and number and name of regiment; and such as belong to men, with their individual numbers, and the letter of the company." 111. All knapsacks are to be painted black. Those for the artillery will be marked in the centre of the cover with the number of the regiment only, in figures of one inch and a half in length, of the character call full face, with yellow paint. Those for the infantry will be marked in the same way, in white paint. Those for the ordnance will be marked with two cannon, crossing; the cannon to be seven and a half inches in length, in yellow paint, to resemble those on the cap." From Butterfield's "Camp and Outpost Duty" 111. "The Knapsacks will also be marked upon the inner side with the letter of the company and the number of the soldier, on such part as may be readily observed at inspections. 112. Haversacks will be marked upon the flap with the number and name of the regiment, the letter of the company, and the number of the soldier in black letters and figures." Hope this helps.

[@Thatshow-fe4kv]

Is this just a sharp shooter thing or can you do it for any unit?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

US military guidelines during the war called for the marking of equipment. You can find it in the Regulations for the US Army 1861 which I believe is free in Google Books. You'll also find it listed in other manuals, too.

[@jonathangomez9548]

Is this the same for officers? And was this just for us regulars?

[@nohrii023]

So we're basically saying: It's not really inaccurate using different colours for canteen but since it was rare compared to this one... it would give more impression to use what was used most back then...

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Pretty much. For new reenactors, it's easy to walk into a sutler and just buy what they have without doing research, and that's how you get gear that's either a reenactorism or over-represented. Carry what your unit did and you should be alright.

[@Joshua-in2hv]

Line Number??? Can you please explain a little more on how to identify ones line number. Thank you in advance.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

TALLCROW each soldier had a number usually by last name and was marked on their gear for the purpose of identifying it should it be lost or gathered for canteen details. Essentially the lower down the alphabet the higher the number. In our company it's more of a pick your favorite/lucky/available number.

[@89boy38]

Nice

[@Ghastly_Grinner]

Well if a couple manufacturers did make them that way isnt it accurate?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Absolutely. It's more about reenactor awareness about which contractors supplied their units. This is something authentic campaigners are uniquely aware of. The 11th OVC did a great video on canteen history and contractors if you'd like to learn more. We also wanted to put it out there that just because blue chained canteens are sold by the ton at sutler row, doesn't mean they're accurate for every impression. Thanks for the great question.

[@stevenjohnson2273]

which manufacturers made the blue covers?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Steven Johnson those would have mostly been New York Depot canteens.

[@stevenjohnson2273]

Company D 2nd USSS thanks

[@kukuri007]

I wouldn’t have thought the Confederates would have overly anal about it. LOL

[@jonathangomez9548]

What’s a line number?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

A line number is your number on the company roster. It would have been alphabetical list of all the soldiers with a number list in the first column. In our company, for the sake of reenacting, we pretty choose a favorite number and keep track of it on a company list to prevent doubles.

[@rebellious_greaser5737]

I'm not a reinactor yet,but I am a juicy Confederate