By 1865, would the average Confederate soldier have had a uniform type of canteen (say the Federal style) or would it have more random? I know, "which army, which state"? I'm going for a generic look here that's why I didn't say. The dio I am working on has 10 or 11 figures in the spring/ early summer '65 preparing to go home if that helps.

Matt, I would definitely go for giving your figures a variety of canteens. A mix of wooden and tin canteens, both drum and M1858 covered and uncovered for example looks much more interesting than just 1 or 2 types. Period images of Confederate prisoners as well as death images are an often overlooked resource that gives the most accurate image of "Johnny reb". The following images are close ups of confederates taken at Five Forks.~Gary


These soldiers all appear to have either drum or perhaps uncovered M1858 tin canteens.

Here's the other. also note the variety of headgear.

Thanks Gary, that's what I was thinking, at least from an artistic point of view.

Matt,

I think Gary is right on with his comments. By 1865 the average Confederate soldier was anything but "uniform". Let you imagination run wild.

Loren

Thanks for the input Loren. New question for you and Gary (or anyone else that cares to chime in), I am now thinking of includung an African American (not necessarily a soldier, though I spent a lot of time researching the subject of black Confederat soldier, but I digress). Any opinions??

Hi all,
I am new to PF and will properly introduce myself presently, but thought I'd weigh in on this subject, as it hits very close to home. It is quite coincidental that just this morning I was thinking of a vignette featuring a Confederate soldier and his "servant", united in combat and fighting yankee soldiers. I do believe there are a number of instances where this actually happened but I don't know where you'd begin the research. Also, apparently, as the yankees were coming up river to attack New Orleans, I have read that a large group of free African-Americans were forming a unit to fight alongside the Confererate defenders, feeling that "their home too, was being invaded". I know I have read this, but I cannot remember where.
It has been unfortunate that so much history, and seeming anamolies like these, has been swept under the carpet for so long, as they did not fit the picture we all got in school or what current political correctness dictates. Slavery, of any sort, and forced on any person or people, regardless of color or creed, is a horrible and unforgivable institution. The Africans that were torn from their homes and families and forced into labor in America, contributed a great deal to establishing this country. But, with a new awarness coming to light, like the exhibit just opened in NYC called "Slavery in NYC", perhaps people will come to realize that it is not just the South, or even just the Americas, that are responsible for creating this sad aspect of human history.
Sorry to seem to be on the soap box, but it's still a touchy, and very misunderstood subject. The more we talk about it openly, the more we will understand. I wholeheartedly encourage you to research it, and do figures based on whatever truth you find.
All the best,
Michael

Michael,
First of all welcome to PF. Second if you are interested in doing some priliminary reading on the subject, you can PM me with your e-mail adress and I will send you a copy of the article I am working on. Lastly, the unit to which you refer was the Louisiana Native Guard, never saw combat with the Confederates, but did pre date the more famous 54th Mass of _Glory_ fame and their action with the Union 19th Corps against the Confederate bastion at Port Hudson, Louisiana was just futile.

Sorry for the history lesson,
Matthew Hauck
(archivist and independent historian)

Michael, Welcome to Pf and what has become a thought prevoking thread. There is documentation that this very thing did happen. The servant of the commander of the 4th tennessee Cavalry organized a company of 40 regimental servants and went into the fight at Chicamauga initially as horse holders and ultimately participated in the battle losing 4 killed and 7 wounded. There was a line spoken by historian Shelby Foote about a colored servant being asked about what he thought of (I believe Pennsylvania during the Gettysburg campaign) the country. He remarked "It's fine country, but does not measure up to home in my eyes". I agree that subject has not been fully explored, and therefore is misunderstood to at least some length. We only cheat ourselves by not looking at the entire picture.~Gary

The hell you say......

http://www.rebelgray.com/BlackSoldiers.htm


This website has a nice photo of some of those troops as well as a reference bibliography that may be helpful.

A little research will find you a plethora of info on Black Confederate soldiers and their participation as both "fighting troops" as well as logisital support troops.

Couple of others worth checking out.

http://www.geocities.com/11thkentucky/blackconfed.htm
http://www.37thtexas.org/html/BlkHist.html

Be warned though, in regards to your research and the resultant material you will find and the varying levels of emotional stances from both sides....here be dragons.