This instrument is an original example of an identified, regulation, eagle-painted, rope-tensioned snare drum, a.k.a. a side drum, used during the Civil War. Identified to 17 year old Private James Henderson of the 90^th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry, drum comes complete with its two wood drumsticks, heads, hoops, rope and one ‘ear’, together with its original storage bag of black cotton cloth.  Henderson enlisted Dec 1861 in NYC into Co. H and served with the unit until mustered out on Dec 17, 1864. He was transferred from Co. H to Co. E on April 7, 1863.  The 90^th regiment, aka the Hancock Guard, organized in the City from Sept to Dec 1861 and was a hard fought combat unit with involvement at the siege of Port Hudson, Bayou La Fourche, and the Red River Campaign. Most of the men re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteers in 1864, and the 90^th was then ordered to Virginia Shenandoah Valley where it fought at Fishers Hill, Opequan and Cedar Creek. James Henderson’s clear handwritten ID is on the edge of the bottom head and reads “Jas. Henderson  / Co. E, 90^th N.Y. Vet. Vols” in black ink. 

In strong overall condition, drum has 75 to 80% of its original painted decoration on the shell that is constructed of veneered, pliable wood such as ash or maple. Drum measures 13” high and 16½” across the shell and comes with its two, excellent, original buff-colored, skin-covered heads along with its two, original red-painted circular wooden hoops with 95% of the red paint remaining.  Both hoops are off the shell and show heavy wear at the rope holes as would be expected from hard use. Original rope still interwoven through the hoops.  Wooden shell exhibits a painted eagle decoration motif on the shell-face that measures 9: high x 18” long and depicts the classic military spreadwinged eagle with the national shield at its chest.  Eagle’s beak holds a pennant that reads “78 REG / US / INFANTRY” in gold-painted letters. The number ‘78’ is not painted but is deeply handcarved into the wood.  Interestingly, no mention of the 78^th regiment is made in James’ service with the 90^th NY but another Henderson, Peter L., was from New York City and enlisted in Co “A” of the 78^th on Jan 9, 1862.  Cursory research on Peter has no link to James.  

Original red, blue, green and gold paint on the shell is faded and shows surface grime but about 80% of the original color hue still visible.  Built around the peep-hole of the shell is a decorative design that uses forty brass tacks, all with a dark bronze patina, adorn the overlapping portion of the wooden shell. Found inside the shell are tiny remnants of a maker’s torn-off paper label. Drum is in ‘as found  / untouched condition’ having surfaced a number of years ago with other artifacts associated with New York State regiments.  Original rope has separated into five frayed sections with one large section on the drum that has a single leather ‘ear’. Two distinct lengths of thick, buff-colored, braided, twisted twine are also part of the drum’s makeup. This is a classic, identified military musical instrument with a great battle history in the Civil War.