Water canteens were essential items of equipment and worn as part of their uniforms when on campaign.   They were carried by a brown leather strap worn over the top of all other belts on the right shoulder to enable quick and easy access and not to interfere with the cartridge pouch worn on the opposite side.  The canteen was a a round half barrel engraved with the mark of the  Board of Ordinance and painted with a broad arrow on one cheek and measured 4″ deep and 7″ in diameter.  When garrisoned at a fort, water canteens were often left in the barracks along with other cross straps.

Many re-enactors complain of leaky canteens but I have found that when made correctly, they tend not to leak after all what good is a vessel to carry water if it leaks like a sieve?