[CIVIL WAR]. Confederate canteen captured by Alfred H. Van Vliet from Jefferson Davis's escort, 11 May 1865. 

7 3/8 in. dia. x 2 3/8 in. dp. wooden drum canteen with iron hardware and approx. 5 ft. x 7/8 in. cotton sling (some scratching and surface cracking to body, with some chipping to and gapping between staves; some pitting to iron; heavy discoloration and spotting throughout sling, with full separation in one spot). Spout not present. Applied paper label on one side of canteen reads, "Captured May 11th 1865. near Washington / Georgia. with Cavalry escort of 'Jeff Davis.' / under Maj Gen'l Howell Cobb. C.S.A. / A.H. Van Vliet. / Adjutant 11th Mich Cavalry / Actg Asst Adjt General 2nd Brigade / 1st Cavalry Division Army of the Cumberland."  

At the close of the Civil War, the 11th Michigan Cavalry made their way from South Carolina into Georgia in May of 1865, first moving to Carnesville, then to Athens. Continuing southward, the regiment captured the cavalry escort of Jefferson outside of Washington on the 11th, just one day after another Michigan cavalry regiment, the 4th, captured Jefferson himself near Irwinville. 

Alfred H. Van Vliet (d. 1919) enlisted as a private in April of 1861, mustering into Company E of the 2nd Michigan Infantry Regiment the following month. He detailed into the Veterans Reserve Corps in May of 1863, and thereafter was commissioned First Lieutenant of the 11th Michigan Cavalry on 1 June 1864 and served with that regiment for over a year until he resigned in July of 1865 due to physical disability.

Throughout his service, Van Vliet was treated at various times for diarrhea and remittent fever, and a medical certificate dated 22 June 1865 cited general debility caused by attacks of bilious and remittent fever and exposure from field service in a malarial climate. According to a report from the House of Representatives' Committee on Pensions, Van Vliet filed a claim through his conservator in 1898 alleging that he was struck in the back of the head by a spent ball while on duty near Marion, VA in about December of 1864, resulting in insanity. He also claimed that he received a shell wound to his right hip while at Fairbanks, VA on 20 May 1862. The report notes not only the physical, but also the mental suffering Van Vliet experienced throughout his post-war life, including despondency, lapses in consciousness, and at least one suicide attempt. The report ended with a recommendation that an increase in pension for Van Vliet be approved.


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann