Heritage Auction Galleries' 2008 June Signature Civil War Auction #6002
Civil War Drum Carried By Mathias Lowman, Maryland 5th Infantry. Made by the Union Drum Manufacturing Company of Baltimore, Maryland, the drum measures 14.25" in diameter by 10.25" high. The drum has most of the original maker's label. The wood drum body has a painted blue front with a shield, flanked by flags, and a riband above with "E Pluribus Unum". Below is "No. 18 PG (?)". The drum rims are painted red. There are six original leather tension braces and the skin drumhead. The interior of the drum has several inscriptions, "M. F. Lowman of Comp. I - Capt. Faehtz, 5th Md. Vol. U.S.A."; "Head quarters Comp, Washington - Fortress Monroe, Va. - 5th Md. Vol. U.S.A., Comp I - Capt. Faehtz"; and, "Samuel Lowman of Elkton, Md". The top drum rim is split and the drumhead is ripped. There is some paint loss, else, very good.
Mathias Lowman enlisted as a musician in Company I, Maryland 5th Infantry on October 5, 1861 and was mustered out on October 5, 1864. The 5th Regiment Infantry was organized at Baltimore, Md., September, 1861 and served at camp at LaFayette Square, Baltimore, Md., until March, 1862. Ordered to Fortress Monroe, Va., March 11, 1862. Duty there and at Suffolk, Va., to September, 1862. Moved to Washington, D. C., thence to Antietam, Md., September 8-16. Battle of Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Moved to Harper's Ferry September 22 and duty there until January, 1863. Reconnaissance to Charleston October 16-17. At Point of Rocks and Maryland Heights protecting Baltimore & Ohio Railroad until June, 1863. Moved to Winchester, Va., June 2. Battle of Winchester June 13-15; mostly captured; those not captured at Bloody Run, Pa., and Loudon, Pa., until July. Duty in the Defenses of Baltimore, Middle Department, until January, 1864, and in the District of Delaware, Middle Department, until June, 1864. Ordered to Join Army of the Potomac in the field June 4, 1864. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Va., June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864 (Reserve). Duty in trenches before Petersburg until September 27. Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. Duty in trenches before Richmond until April, 1865. Occupation of Richmond April 3. Pursuit of Lee to Appomattox Court House April 3-9. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Duty in the Dept. of Virginia until September, 1865.
Also in this sale are Mathias Lowman's hardwood drumsticks. Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000.
2008 June Signature Civil War Auction #6002
Source: http://historical.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=6002&Lot_No=72251
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Another Drum by Union Manufacturing:
Another drum recently appearing at auction is described as bearing a Union Manufacturing label. The drum went up for sale at auction March 29, 2008 by Mike Kent Auctions. Lot 277 is described on that firm's website.
"Rope tension drum in good condition with complete heads. The drum measures approx. 17” x 16” and has a “Union Manufacturing Company” label on the inside of the drum."
The drum was estimated to sell in the $800-$1,000 range.
See also http://www.railsplitter.com/sale13/cwrelics13.htm where the same (top) drum is described as follows:
ReplyDelete"638. Civil War regimental drum from the 5th Maryland U.S. Infantry carried during the war by Matthius Lowman, provenance and inscription inside the shell. Drum made by the Union Drum Manufacturing Co. of Baltimore, MD, is inscribed: “Co. D., Capt. Faehtz - Elkton Guards 5th MD Vols. USA Head quarters Camp Hamilton...” (Fort Munroe, VA.) Also detailed as having also been owned by Samuel Lowman of Elkton, Maryland. Accompanied by original torn head (the top of drum), needing restoration, has both rims, with six of the original leather tensioners. Can easily be restrung. (Est. $3,000-5,000)"