Drummer boys and Knapsacks

[flattop32355]

Can anyone tell me whether drummer boys were required to carry a knapsack and/or haversack in addition to their drum, etc., or were they "taken care of" by the company/regiment?

Thank you.

Bernard Biederman

[Johan Steele]

I've seen at least one photograph w/ a drummer boy carrying a haversack but I don't recall ever seeing any w/ a knapsack.

[pfeiffer3964]

Can anyone tell me whether drummer boys were required to carry a knapsack and/or haversack in addition to their drum, etc., or were they "taken care of" by the company/regiment?

The following are excerpts from the letters and diary of Thomas Buchanan Linn, Drummer in the 16th OVI. His writings are published on www.mkwe.com/ohio/pages/Linn-04.htm. They appear to have been written in October of 1863.

“I received a letter from you four days ago just as we were preparing for another march and had no time to answer then. We are halting at this out of the way place for a few days to rest and bring up more provisions, when we will resume our march for some point in Texas as yet un- known to high privates although both Galveston and Fort Brown on the Rio Grande are spoken of. I hope we will go to Galveston, our mail facilities will be so much better than at Fort Brown. It is said we are to protect the borders from the French. When I wrote you last I was sick if I remember right. I am glad to tell you I have entirely recovered. You ask what I mean when I say I intend to come back again when my time is out without shouldering a musket. I hope the war will be over and I will not have to come at all but if it is not I mean if the government will accept my services in some other way than a private I will come again but will not come as a private or a drummer. I will serve again as a Lieutenant, Captain, Commissary Clerk or sergeant or any other way that I will not have to carry a knapsack when I march. Probably I may try for something to do in the War department without going into the field. I have not fully made up my mind how I will apply nor is it necessary yet till I get out of the service this time. I intend going home first and then will think of and decide what I shall do. I wish to see and talk the matter over with you before binding myself again.”

His diary entry from Friday, October 30, 1863 states the following:

“Lieut. Col. Kershner came back to the regiment last night. Start this morning at four o'clock and march 24 miles to New Iberia. Foot gave out today and I had to ride awhile - rode about seven miles and had my drum and knapsack hauled the rest of the way. Lieut. Boling and Warner Hall got back to the regiment. Lieut. Boling brought me two shirts, pair of socks and a pair of buckskin gloves from home. Had a long talk with Warner Hall about Millersburg folks.”

However, he was 21 years of age at the time of these writings.

Regards,

[pfeiffer3964]

And, a photo of Gilbert A. Marbury, 22nd New York Infantry, Company H:

[pfeiffer3964]

Bernard:

Here is another excerpt from a letter, which is dated November 29, 1861 from Thomas R. Brown, 37th Illinois, Co. K, to his parents. He was 16 at the time of these writings:

“On the march to Springfield I gave clear out the third day, but the Major had me get on his horse and ride a piece. Then I went it like a top although I did ride on a wagon for about 20 miles. But coming back I did not ride a step of the way, and more than that I carried my knapsack every day but one”

This entry alludes to both favorable treatment of young drummers and the fact that they had to cart around their own essential gear.

His letters are published on http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilcivilw/scrapbk/brownletters.html. They are quite humorous, as Thomas complains relentlessly about drill, practice, lugging his gear, &c. You should read them when you have a few moments.

I believe I have more references at home and will post them as they are found.

Regards,

[ThehosGendar]

From an image of the 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery on Parade at Fortress Monroe, 1864:

http://www.3nj.org/drummerwithpack.jpg

What's interesting is that the band is not wearing packs, yet two drummers from the field music that are visible behind the band are wearing them, as well as the rest of the regiment.

From another Heavy Artillery unit (I presume) on Parade at Yorktown. It's a bit difficult to make out, but the two drummers are indeed wearing packs, as well as the rest of the regiment.

http://www.3nj.org/drummerartypark.jpg

Also, easy with the "drummer boy" epithet. Quite a large number of musicians weren't little kids.

http://www.3nj.org/musi1.jpg

http://www.3nj.org/musi3.jpg

Regards,
Jason R. Wickersty

[flattop32355]

>Also, easy with the "drummer boy" epithet. Quite a large number of >musicians weren't little kids.


No disrespect intended. That's just what I've always heard them referred to as....


Bernard Biederman

[flattop32355]

>This entry alludes to both favorable treatment of young drummers and the >fact that they had to cart around their own essential gear.

>I believe I have more references at home and will post them as they are >found.



I think that the information you have already provided says it all: They carried their own gear, and sometimes were given a break. My son is not at all happy to hear this news. ;)

Thanks to all who replied.

Bernard Biederman

[1stMaine]

Comrades,
Perhaps the better term would be "musician" instead of drummer. In all of the Muster Rolls I've seen up here in Maine, they don't discriminate between whether the musician is a drummer, bugler, fifer, etc. It's simply the term "musician". That makes it hard to discern who was playing what and when...
Drummers have their own personal hell, even though they don't carry a rifle. They have to sling that damned drum around, and regardless of whether you throw it over a shoulder, over your neck or whatever, it still never rides quite right.
I was a percussion major in college, and the one thing I developed was a strong muscle on my left thigh, from that darned drum banging against it. It's a subtle but constatnt tapping, sort of like the proverbial Chinese water torture. It gives you a right smart bruise for a few days, then just a general soreness after that.
One thing that modern drummers have is a curved plate that sticks out from the drum and straps it to your thigh so it doesn't move so much. It keeps the drum in the same place, and that makes fro an easier march and much more accurate sticking. My counter for the CW period was to purchase a blanket roll strap, and run that behind two of the tension ropes, then around my thigh. It keeps the drum in a stable position and lessens the pounding the old thigh takes.
Drummers also had to keep those skins dry, and in wet weather that was a chore. Oilcloth covers weren't always available, and heaven only knows what those fellows used to cover the heads. A wet head goes soft and punctures quickly, and spares were problematical.
Anyway, it's good to see the musician carrying his own stuff. Might as well get used to it now, and besides, doesn't your son have a heavy backpack to tote between home and school anyway? I daresay my kid's backpacks are heavier than the double-bag I carry in the field:)
respects,

[Robert Braun]

I agree with Mr. Kindred.

Along with a 'wet head' being a real pain (where's my hat?) the records indicate that as a rule, musicians toted their own truck, the same as the men in their company.

[pfeiffer3964]

Agreed, the term "musician" is more appropriate for general usage and yes, they all toted their own gear. However, Bernard's post was quite specific in its inquiries as to drummers. Thus, my inclination was to answer with specific examples.

To add to Tim's post, we must keep in mind that each musician, no matter what he played, had, at times, his own private hell... drums beating against thighs... fifers' frozen fingers, problems with brass mouthpieces and players' lips in cold weather... people despising you for waking them up in the morning... relentless practicing and drilling, &c.

At any rate, we, as a community, must not minimize the importance of quality musicians our portrayal of history.

Practicing my rudiments daily, I remain,

Respectfully yours, &c,

[JKfifer119]

Mr Wickersty

Where did you get the marvelous picture of the three musicians sitting in front of the drum in sack coats and stripes on their trousers? ANy idea who they were or where they were from

thanks
Joe Korber
119th NY Field Music

From an image of the 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery on Parade at Fortress Monroe, 1864:

http://www.3nj.org/drummerwithpack.jpg

What's interesting is that the band is not wearing packs, yet two drummers from the field music that are visible behind the band are wearing them, as well as the rest of the regiment.

From another Heavy Artillery unit (I presume) on Parade at Yorktown. It's a bit difficult to make out, but the two drummers are indeed wearing packs, as well as the rest of the regiment.

http://www.3nj.org/drummerartypark.jpg

Also, easy with the "drummer boy" epithet. Quite a large number of musicians weren't little kids.

http://www.3nj.org/musi1.jpg

http://www.3nj.org/musi3.jpg

Regards,
Jason R. Wickersty

[pfeiffer3964]

Joe:

That is a cropped, close up of a photograph that can be found at the following web address:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?cwar:4:./temp/~ammem_eRqu::displayType=1:m856sd=cwp:m856sf=4a401 77:@@@

The image is entitled "Washington, D.C. Drum Corps of the 10th Veteran Reserve Corps at leisure." It was reportedly taken in June of 1865.

[bluebellybugleboy]

Post is based on what the poster heard from another reenactor. Not useful to the thread. Mike Chapman

[JKfifer119]

Many thanks!!! very cool picture


cheers
Joe korber





Joe:

That is a cropped, close up of a photograph that can be found at the following web address:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?cwar:4:./temp/~ammem_eRqu::displayType=1:m856sd=cwp:m856sf=4a401 77:@@@

The image is entitled "Washington, D.C. Drum Corps of the 10th Veteran Reserve Corps at leisure." It was reportedly taken in June of 1865.

[Clark Badgett]

Tim, the I believe the English actually had an issued piece of equipment for the express purpose of helping to keep the drum in place, during the era. I'll go check my files and see soon.

[Radical Unionist]

Lets say a musician didn't have to carry a pack, who carried it then? I don't think Uncle Billy would have approved an extra wagon for every so many musicians. It's not as if a drummer plays all day long, since the army is usually at route step.

Does anyone know when the Army stopped using sheep skin leg pads for drummers?

Jeff Boorom
Wide Awake and Pissed

[125th ohio drummer]

Can anyone tell me whether drummer boys were required to carry a knapsack and/or haversack in addition to their drum, etc., or were they "taken care of" by the company/regiment?

Thank you.

Bernard Biederman


i invite you to answer that question on my fife and drum corps home page tigerband.stephenscott.com

[Smokey Toes]

i invite you to answer that question on my fife and drum corps home page tigerband.stephenscott.com
Travis,
Make sure to sign your posts!!

[RJSamp]

"Diary of a Dutch Mudsill" John Henry Otto: basically he called for some music to be played on a long exhausting march (see thread "Drummer and Fifers to the Front")....there were no musicians left in the column to play, they were all either on the wagons or their drums were. The 24th IL, right behind Otto's 21st Wisconsin, had both their Band and Field Music's at hand with instruments.....their Colonel ordered them to start playing....they alternated Band first, Field Music's second.

the 21st Wisconsin's Principal Musician was a 12 year old drummer boy. He was the Brigade darling and never carried a knapsack. The singular reference "Drummer and FiferS to the Front" is a direct reference to the Principal Musician. His age 12ish picture with a private purchase uniform is in the book.

"Hero of Medfield" Biography of Alonzo Kingsbury, Chief Bugler, 1st Mass Inf: my knapsack was carried on the wagon with the Colonel's baggage. I was ordered to stay by his side at all times. (this is decidedly Early War, Kingsbury KIA mid-April 1862 at the Siege of Yorktown).

"Army Letters 1861-1865" Oliver Norton (Chief Bugler 83rd PA, Brigade Bugler (mounted) for Butterfield and Vincent). My belongings were carried in the Colonel's wagon with the rest of the Officer's equipage. I was excused from all duties save sounding the calls. Cavalry buglers carried all of their belongings on their saddle......so did mounted bandsmen, save the instruments which were carried in a wagon (see "Diary of a Cavalry Bugler" William Sargent, who ended up playing Cymbal in the 4th rank of a 4 by 4 mounted band, 1st NE Cavalry). Gustave Schurman (III Corps Bugler for Sickles, had all of his stuff carried in the wagons (recall that in the III Corps Sickles/Corps Staff alone slept in a tent on morning of July 2nd 1863 per Captain Meade (Gen'l Meade's son). as did Oliver Norton when he was Brigade Bugler (no sleeping blanket on the pommel nor shelter half/extra clothing on the cantle).

I think the deal here is that Regimental and higher buglers had to keep up with mounted field grade officer's.....so they were quickly relieved of their knapsack's/bedroll. They had to buy their own watches (Norton owned 3 and regularly traded them/had them repaired) which they carried with them at all times. I have never read that a leg infantry Bugler was ever mounted at the Regimental level....have read of mounted Adjutant's at the Regimental level, but never a bugler.

There are numerous references to band instruments being carried on the wagons.....and when the regimental bands were for the most part (not ALL regimental bands went away or became Brigade Bands, example: the 24th MI regimental band in the Iron Brigade) done away with, the band equipment was carried on the wagons.

Sharpshooter buglers carried their own stuff (and a rifle).

As far as I have read Musician's all carried their own haversacks (lest someone liberate their contents!).

Of course, if your unit impression at an event doesn't include wagons.... you'll just have to carry your stuff!

[WoodenNutmeg]

This question has certainly been answered, but this link might also serve has helpful: CLICK HERE (http://www.geocities.com/cwfifedrum/equipment.html)