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Home / Historical / 2008 November Signature Civil War Auction Auction #6015 / Lot #57780
    LOT #57780  | 
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    Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba...

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    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba...
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba...
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba...
    • Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba...
    Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba... Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba... Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba... Military & Patriotic:Civil War, Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Ba... View More >
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    Description

    Most Rare, Probably Imported, Brass Body Civil War Infantry Drum, Inscribed on the Body in Period Script Engraving, "Thomas Baker 55th Regt. Mass. Vols." The 55th Massachusetts was the second 'colored' regiment formed in the Union army and its nucleus was the men left over from the recruits of the famed 54th Mass., with Col. Norwood Halowell of the 54th commissioned as the regiment's commander. Typically for black regiments, the unit's early months of service were occupied with fatigue duty in South Carolina. Finally on Feb. 20, 1864, alongside the 54th Mass. the regiment was engaged at the Battle of Olustee, Fla. They were subsequently engaged, again with the 54th, at James Island, S. C. on July 2. The regiment was heavily engaged at Honey Hill, where it lost 139 men killed and wounded. Baker, an 18 year old black laborer from Xenia, OH., enlisted in the 55th May 13, 1863, and was present, doubtless accompanied by this drum, at all the actions listed above serving until discharged on August 29, 1865. This is one of only two black infantry regimental drums known to exist. A remarkable Civil War artifact of inestimable rarity and value.



    Auction Info

    Auction Dates
    November, 2008
    20th-21st Thursday-Friday
    Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
    Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
    Page Views: 2,044

    Buyer's Premium per Lot:
    19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.

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