Just how common was the Bullseye west of the Appalacians? I'm curious if anyone has any documentation of issue to western troops of the Bullseye canteen. My question is just how common was the item?
That said I found this while parusing letters looking for period gripes. It is from a soldier, I believe w/ Burnside, while stationed in Nashville. Longstreets men are mentioned as well as aquiring two unusual weapons from Longstreets dead: "The Colonel ordered that we strike our new canteens bright... they don't poltis (sic) worth a damn as the ash and spit pools in the grooves and the shite sticks... (uninteligable). Saturday night Colonel came down with the shits and scratched the morning parade. The Major told our Captains to have us put the covers back on. I already used the damned thing to patch my coat so a batch of like minded souls went looking for material and found the Colonels coat. We have our covers and the Colonel needs a new coat. Serves the bastard rite (sic)."
I found this amusing and interesting as it implies that at least some canteens were issued w/ a dark blue cover. I had never heard of canteens being struck bright and frankly see it as an asphalt soldier stunt. Has anyone else seen reference to it?
That said I found this while parusing letters looking for period gripes. It is from a soldier, I believe w/ Burnside, while stationed in Nashville. Longstreets men are mentioned as well as aquiring two unusual weapons from Longstreets dead: "The Colonel ordered that we strike our new canteens bright... they don't poltis (sic) worth a damn as the ash and spit pools in the grooves and the shite sticks... (uninteligable). Saturday night Colonel came down with the shits and scratched the morning parade. The Major told our Captains to have us put the covers back on. I already used the damned thing to patch my coat so a batch of like minded souls went looking for material and found the Colonels coat. We have our covers and the Colonel needs a new coat. Serves the bastard rite (sic)."
I found this amusing and interesting as it implies that at least some canteens were issued w/ a dark blue cover. I had never heard of canteens being struck bright and frankly see it as an asphalt soldier stunt. Has anyone else seen reference to it?
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