9th Mass Infantry Drum by Haynes, Boston

[Ed. Note: This article was contributed by Mike Sorenson of West Coast Civil War Collectors and appears here with Mike's permission in furtherance of our goal of assembling information concerning important rope drums.]


Civil War Eagle Presentation Regimental Drum - 9th Mass Infantry

[The label inside the drum's shell] identifies its maker as Massachusetts Drum Manufactory - John C. Haynes & Co. Boston. [Here is a label from another Haynes drum from the same era:]

A Haynes Label from another Haynes drum discussed in this blog


[And yet another Haynes label inside the shell of a drum at eBay #160202815630]

Haynes supplied drums to Civil War regiments from 1863 - 1865 and was known to use the more dramatic eagle motif of the official Army discharge documents as seen on this drum, termed “the landing eagle.” The drum’s 12½” height and 14½" diameter, dark maple rims and shell and brass reinforcing tacks at the shell seam are all characteristic of surviving examples of Haynes drums.

The drum's most striking aspect is the originally painted full color eagle landing on the American shield and panoply of arms and flags. A white twisting riband contains the regimental marking, "9th Mass Vols." Twin red banners on opposing sides of the eagle motif carry battle honors: "Peninsula, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Virginia 1863, Wilderness (where they suffered 160 killed and wounded on the Orange turnpike in an hour’s fighting.)" The 9th Mass was present at each of those battles. They also fought at Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill (167 killed and wounded) and Malvern Hill (93 killed and wounded). After the battle honors were marked on this drum the 9th was later severely engaged at Spotsylvania Court House with many casualties.

Original fine braid ropes of presentation quality remain intact; both skins are original with two minor splits on bottom skin, brass tensioner and gut snares are also present, counter hoops in sound condition with minor losses to top hoop, likely caused by drummer's rim tapping. Accompanied by original sling and drumsticks. A great drum identified to a hard fighting Irish regiment."

Another Haynes Drum (ca. 1863):
[Ed. Note. The drum described and shown in 1863Haynes.pdf is in the blogmaster's collection. In addition to some photos, a partial large label is transcribed and a certification by Jack Lawton is provided. Also, an article by Pat Parker about Jack Lawton, "one of a handful of people around the world who restore, repair, and make reproductions of vintage drums" from "Susquehana Life", together with a brochure from Jack Lawton is in the materials.: 1863Haynes.pdf.]