garyjd
PlanetFigure Supporter
Civil War Federal canteen covers
When you paint a Civil War Union soldier what color do you usually paint the canteen cover? My guess is that most folks will say they paint it light blue, just like the trousers, greatcoat etc etc. Although a light blue kersey cover was used it was an uncommon way to cover a canteen. As the Civil War progressed the quality of materials used declined, thanks in no small part to canteen covers not being subject to Federal Army inspection. The Quartermaster Department Regulations stated that it should be made of a "coarse cheap woolen, or woolen and cotton fabric. Material purchase records show that the majority, probably 3/4 of Federal canteens were covered with jean cloth. Light blue kersey fabric on the other hand would have been a more expensive option compared to jean. Jean was a very coarse, cheap cotton warp/woolen weft, twill woven material. At times any cheap cloth that was available was used in order to keep up with contract deadlines. A good is example is a large number of canteens issued by the Schuykill Depot between the Fall of 1862 and the Summer of 1863. These canteens were covered with furniture upolstery fabric which proved very durable. The color of the canteen covered on surviving relics today is brown, reddish-brown, or tan colored. Most likely these covers were gray. The logwood dye used to color the covers would oxidize to a brownish hue over time. So the next time your painting a union solder why not try a gray or brown/tan cover.
When you paint a Civil War Union soldier what color do you usually paint the canteen cover? My guess is that most folks will say they paint it light blue, just like the trousers, greatcoat etc etc. Although a light blue kersey cover was used it was an uncommon way to cover a canteen. As the Civil War progressed the quality of materials used declined, thanks in no small part to canteen covers not being subject to Federal Army inspection. The Quartermaster Department Regulations stated that it should be made of a "coarse cheap woolen, or woolen and cotton fabric. Material purchase records show that the majority, probably 3/4 of Federal canteens were covered with jean cloth. Light blue kersey fabric on the other hand would have been a more expensive option compared to jean. Jean was a very coarse, cheap cotton warp/woolen weft, twill woven material. At times any cheap cloth that was available was used in order to keep up with contract deadlines. A good is example is a large number of canteens issued by the Schuykill Depot between the Fall of 1862 and the Summer of 1863. These canteens were covered with furniture upolstery fabric which proved very durable. The color of the canteen covered on surviving relics today is brown, reddish-brown, or tan colored. Most likely these covers were gray. The logwood dye used to color the covers would oxidize to a brownish hue over time. So the next time your painting a union solder why not try a gray or brown/tan cover.
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