Filling Canteens?

[billyreb61]

I found this photo in the Library of Congress site and it said that it was soldiers filling their canteens.

What are they doing?

[billyreb61]

Re: Filling Canteens?

Sorry it appears that the attachment didn't work.

I'll try again

[riptailedroarer]

Re: Filling Canteens?


Doug, is this the picture?

[Watchdog]

Re: Filling Canteens?

No canteens in sight.
From the accoutrements, they appear to be cavalry, not infantry.
They appear to be looking at something under the Sibley.
There are civilians and servants around.

[Dignann]

Re: Filling Canteens?

This image was most likely taken by a photographer working for Brady and was published by E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. It was issued by the Anthonys as a stereoviews in their "War for the Union Series." The Anthony catalog lists it as Image No. 2512 - "Soldiers drawing water, Fredericksburg, Va."

The Library of Congress lists it as "Fredericksburg, Va. Soldiers filling canteens." (LC-B811- 2512)

Under maginifcation, which unfortunately I can't seem to post, it does appear to me that the men are likely drawing water. Under the tent or tarp, there appears to be a small wooden structure, which looks like it might be a well.

Eric

[billyreb61]

Re: Filling Canteens?

Yeah that's the photo I was looking at. I had never seen that photo before. Thanks for posting it for me John.

[riptailedroarer]

Re: Filling Canteens?

what strikes me is all the civilians and servants/ contraband's, could it be a sutler or food seller? there's a guy in the centre who looks like he's holding a plate.

[roundshot]

Re: Filling Canteens?

No canteens in sight? Well, they're being filled of course! Maybe Mr. Sutler has some special blend that appeals to the horse soldiers. Or any blend for that matter will do, even commisary whiskey. Sometimes things are what they are.

[Clarkbowman]

Re: Filling Canteens?

This same photo was discussed not long ago on another forums, alot of ideas about it.
http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/sh...23512#poststop

[Dignann]

Re: Filling Canteens?

The photo was taken in Fredericksburg in early May 1864, at the outset (Battles of Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House) of the Virginia Overland Campaign.

Sutler? Doubtful. In all my readings of the two battles, I have never seen any mention of a sutler being allowed anywhere near the armies in the field.

While it's always a good idea to second guess photo captions attributed to the Library of Congress, in this case I think it's pretty accurate. The titles that the Anthonys assigned to the images they published were written by the photographers who took the photos. Thus, "Soldiers drawing water, Fredericksburg, Va." was most likely provided by the cameraman who created the image. As Bob said, just because we don't see canteens doesn't necessarily mean they're not there.

Mr. Clark - don't forget to sign your name to your posts.

Eric