Presented here is an original, Civil War drum in most excellent condition that is identified and comes complete with its original neck sling and a framed albumen post-war image that pictures this actual drum and its original owner, A.L. Briggs.

Amos Briggs enlisted at age 19 at Troy, NY on 4/23/61 into Co. G, 2nd New York Infantry. He mustered into service 5/14/61 for 2 years and rose through the ranks as a musician/private/corporal/sergeant. Promoted to 1st corporal 8/15/61; to 5th sergeant 2/26/62, Briggs was present for duty until listed as absent on recruiting duty 8/11/62 from which he returned to regiment on 6/12/63 and mustered out at Troy, NY.

Brigg’s Civil War ‘snare’ or ‘side’ drum is made of a maple-shell 14½” high with a 16½” diameter. Instrument has its original, red painted heads and non-original skins. Drum ropes appear in very good condition and are likely have been replaced over the years. Ten original, brown leather ears or tighteners adorn the shell sides and are thick oval tabs that exhibit serrated edges and have an embossed star in the center. Both drumheads in excellent condition with seven catgut snares on bottom head.  A small 5" long tension tear developed along one edge of the bottom head.  Drum has a period decorative tack pattern that surrounds a small (1/2” dia.) porcelain peephole. Interior of drum shell exhibits a hand-drawn, pencil image of an eagle holding a banner labeled with "E PLURIBUS UNIM" on it. Below the eagle is another handwritten inscription that reads "Made By / A.L. Briggs / Fair Haven, July 1861".  Amos Briggs was a listed as a 19-year-old drummer in the 2nd New York Infantry. The only problem with this is that Briggs appears to have mustered in 5/14/61 at Camp Willard, Troy, NY and then left Troy on 5/18/61 for New York and thence to Fortress Monroe where it encamped at Mill Creek and participated in the Battle of Big Bethel, on 8/5/61. The regiment was ordered to Newport News for the following winter. Brigg’s blue and white cotton neck-strap is looped back on itself and joined at the end with a leather fastener that is stitched and secured by three brass pin devices that resemble rosettes. Fastener is original to the drum sling and retains the thin, 6” long leather strap and black japanned buckle. Strap is broken into two separate parts.  The heavy, woven cloth sling is in very good condition with just light surface soiling overall.

The undated, GAR image is an original albumen in excellent condition with outstanding clarity that measures 9 1/2" X 7 1/2" and is set upon a 11” x 14” pasteboard backing. Picture is set in a glassed-in, wooden frame decorated with an ornate gold plaster around the outer perimeter of the frame. The sepia-toned picture depicts some 30 G.A.R. members. Most with gray-hair standing and kneeling in front of a building with large portico entryway. Kneeling in the front row is a gentleman who appears to be A.J. Briggs and he is holding this identical drum and sling. Also in front row are two additional drummers, one with cut-down snare drum and the other with a bass drum. In the back tows are two fifers standing in the group. Another man holds a 38-star US flag. Each individual in the group wears a wide variety of GAR ribbons, National Encampment Medals, and all are wearing dark boutonnieres on their left0side jacket lapels. Pasteboard is embossed at the lower right corner with a small mark of "A.J. Richards, MEDINA, N.Y." This identified Civil War grouping of a New York soldier’s drum, sling and GAR image is a wonderful collection that would make a fine display.  [ph:L]

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