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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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/sc...wnletters.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:



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.



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





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.