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Hi,
I have been wondering abou this for along time. What did Federal soldiers do with Southern souvenirs while on campaign? Here is a quote from, Don Troiani's Soldiers in America 1754-1865, that talks about this:
From the Revolution to the present day, the U.S. soldier has been a noted souvenir hunter. The Civil War soldier helped estblish this tradition. To this day, homes from New England to I owa uield relics that were carried home by Yankee volunteers. Sgt. David K. Stannard, Company E, 49th Massachuetts Infantry, was no exception.
Sergeant Stannard, by occupation a mechanic, enlisted in the 49th in September of 1862 from his in New Marlborough. The 49th Massachuetts was one of a number of regiments enlisted in New England for nine months of service that were spent in the area of New Orleans for the operations against the Confederate strongholds on the Mississippi. The regiment was engaged in the siege of Port Hudson and in the assault that resulted in that the garrison's surrender on July 8,1863. Sixty-five men of the 49th volunteered for a desperate attempt on the Confederate position on May 27, which resulted in the loss of sixteen officers and men killed. By the time of the final surrender, the term of service of the regiment was almost over.
It is certain that many of the men who saw action were eager to take home a trophy of their service in the South. The Confederate canteen taken by Sergeant Stannard is one of several known today that bear the inscriptions relating to their capture of Port Hudson. ( I know these men of the 49th were heading home anyway, but I am mainly wondering about the common Federal soldier on campaign.)
1. Did they carry the souvenir with them on campaign? ( I know that I would not carry the extra weight.)
2. Did they use the souvenir equipment on campaign?
3. Did they send the souvenir home?
Thanks.
I have been wondering abou this for along time. What did Federal soldiers do with Southern souvenirs while on campaign? Here is a quote from, Don Troiani's Soldiers in America 1754-1865, that talks about this:
From the Revolution to the present day, the U.S. soldier has been a noted souvenir hunter. The Civil War soldier helped estblish this tradition. To this day, homes from New England to I owa uield relics that were carried home by Yankee volunteers. Sgt. David K. Stannard, Company E, 49th Massachuetts Infantry, was no exception.
Sergeant Stannard, by occupation a mechanic, enlisted in the 49th in September of 1862 from his in New Marlborough. The 49th Massachuetts was one of a number of regiments enlisted in New England for nine months of service that were spent in the area of New Orleans for the operations against the Confederate strongholds on the Mississippi. The regiment was engaged in the siege of Port Hudson and in the assault that resulted in that the garrison's surrender on July 8,1863. Sixty-five men of the 49th volunteered for a desperate attempt on the Confederate position on May 27, which resulted in the loss of sixteen officers and men killed. By the time of the final surrender, the term of service of the regiment was almost over.
It is certain that many of the men who saw action were eager to take home a trophy of their service in the South. The Confederate canteen taken by Sergeant Stannard is one of several known today that bear the inscriptions relating to their capture of Port Hudson. ( I know these men of the 49th were heading home anyway, but I am mainly wondering about the common Federal soldier on campaign.)
1. Did they carry the souvenir with them on campaign? ( I know that I would not carry the extra weight.)
2. Did they use the souvenir equipment on campaign?
3. Did they send the souvenir home?
Thanks.
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