🥇 BANNER Civil War canteen with soldiers name etched in! (Native American Civil War unit)

mglentz4125

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Oh man if this thing could talk.

I have been searching around a newer permission in the Northeast corner of Michigan (lower peninsula) and unearthed a round, smashed item. I watch a good amount of Aquachigger's channel on YouTube so immediately recognized it as a Union civil war canteen. Now aside from the occasional coat button I rarely encounter any civil war finds so was beyond excited when I pulled this item from the dirt and roots.

I headed home and, after giving a good rinse, noticed a name "JOHN SHOMIN" scribed into the pewter neck. I recognized the last name from the area and immediately headed to the internet. I was able to quickly learn that the soldier was an Odawa Indian and part of the elite 1st Michigan SS (sharpshooters) Regiment Company K. He is buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in Harbor Springs Michigan.

This unit comprised of 139 men and was nearly of all Native Americans from the Northwestern lower Michigan area. It sounds like this company saw some significant action:
The Civil War unit fought in the battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spottsylvania, Assault on the Salient, Battle of Cold Harbor, Battle of Petersburg, Battle of the Crater and a bunch of others. You just never know what your coil is going to swing over. 20210913_134214.jpg 20210913_134208.jpg 20210911_175104_HDR.jpg 20210911_201311_HDR.jpg 20210911_204532.jpg 20210912_115231.jpg 20210912_201544_HDR.jpg 20210911_204532.jpg Screenshot_20210911-204132_3 (1).png Screenshot_20210912-115507_2 (1).png Screenshot_20210912-115717_2 (1).png
 

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Last edited:
Upvote 99

Megalodon

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Lost Signal

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I agree that this is a banner find. Anytime, that you can connect a relic to a specific individual, it's a special thing. When you can actually learn something about that individual, it's even more special.
 

tamrock

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Wow! Awesome find and coupled to the story of solider named John Shomin makes it all the more wonderful. I kinda like to think John Shomin has a story to tell from the grave of who they were and the cause they believed in so long ago.
 

Tnmountains

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I keep coming back to this post. Very unique and special find. You have my vote as well.
 

crashbandicoot

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How does it work? How many of us have to nominate, or is it really up to the Invisible Hand of TreasureNet?

Do we just click the nominate banner icon?OK,clicked on the icon,wrote my recommendation and submitted same.Anything else?
 

Last edited:

pepperj

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What a unique recovery of the signed canteen, really a great piece of recovered and saved history.
Congrats on this top shelf piece.:occasion14:
Vote is in as well.
 

OP
OP
mglentz4125

mglentz4125

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Do we just click the nominate banner icon?OK,clicked on the icon,wrote my recommendation and submitted same.Anything else?

I think thats it. To me I find it a fascinating piece of local (and national) significance being though it was carried in battle by one of the infamous Native American sharpshooters. If it should end up on the banner it will be just that much more cooler of an experience.
 

PullTabPete

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Congratulations on the Banner!

Great find and research, I wouldn't expect to find CW relics in Michigan and probably wouldn't have realized what it was if I found it.

Great job
 

Mud Hut

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What a special treasure! Totally awesome all the way around and worthy of the banner for sure. Congratulations!
 

Blak bart

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T-net is a strange site...you wouldn't think you could miss a thread like this but somehow I did....a belated congrats sir. Incredible piece of history you have brought into the light again !!
 

Doubter in MD

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Congratulations on a great find and a well deserved ride across the banner! Thank you for sharing your find and for your well researched post.
 

CASPER-2

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PetesPockets55

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Way to go on the banner. Well deserved.
(Mackaydon had it right. "Patience we must learn!" LOL)
 

billb

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Congratulations on your beautiful recovery..Voting Banner
 

yaxthri

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Nov 17, 2010
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Congrats on the banner.
A great historical find with a very personal feeling to go with it thanks to your great detecting work!!
KUDOS!
 

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