Description
This fine tin drum canteen came from the same source as an identified Kenansville D-Guard bowie and may well have belonged to the same soldier–but there is no name on it. It has a wonderful kid leather strap which is shortened, indicating use by an artillery or cavalryman. The knife has the name of the soldier carved in the grip (not included with this item) proving ownership by:
J. M. Kee, Pvt. Stanford’s Mississippi Battery ; Rolls of Prisoners of War, Paroled Citronelle, Alabama,
May 14,1865. Residence- Franklin Par., La.
Enlisted on 5/1/1861 as a Private. On 5/1/1861 he mustered into "Stanford's" Co. Mississippi Light Artillery |
Stanford’s Mississippi Battery was organized during the fall of 1861 and soon moved to Tennessee. After fighting at Shiloh, the unit was involved in the Kentucky Campaign then joined the Army of Tennessee. It was assigned to M. Smith’s and Eldridge’s Battalion of Artillery, fought with the army from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, and was part of Hood’s operations in Tennessee. However, the company was captured in the Battle of Nashville. Captain Thomas J. Sanford was in command.
