Original U.S. Civil War Drum of Musician Thomas H. Blackhurst, 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade - Lost Drum & Had to Buy New One

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a phenomenal Civil War musician’s drum which is well-inscribed on the top skin with “Drum of Thos. H. Blackman / 3rd PHB”. This identifies the drum to Musician Thomas H. Blackman, Company I, 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade. This is very interesting, as when researching Blackman, we came across a remark on his Muster Roll for September & October of 1864. The remark reads: Stop price of drum & sticks carelessly lost. “Stoppage price” indicates that the price of the drum & sticks will be deducted from his pay until the cost is covered. Blackman carelessly lost his drum, but we aren’t sure if this is his first drum that he lost, or his replacement!

In October of 1864, the 3rd Maryland Infantry, PHB was transferred to the Reserve Division, West Virginia. It was during this transition that Blackhurst carelessly lost his drum.

This rope-tension field drum, approximately 13¼” tall and 16½” in diameter, has a cylindrical shell or body formed of oak, with sheepskin heads and original, red-painted rims of hickory wood attached with cotton cord and adjusting tabs of leather, which are mostly well-retained with one missing and another missing a bit of the leather. 

Thomas H. Blackhurst first enlisted on May 15th, 1864 at the age of 17, being assigned to Company I, 3rd Maryland Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade. He remained with the brigade until his mustering out on May 29th, 1865. Blackhurst participated in the Battle of Monocacy on July 9th, 1864, and was also assigned to duty in guarding the liner of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. It was in September 1864 that Blackhurst carelessly lost his drum and sticks, being charged for the price of a new one. The regiment overall fought valiantly at Franklin, Wardensville, Moorefield, Harper’s Ferry, Frederick, Monocacy, Snicker’s Gap, Bolivar Heights, Halltown, Charlestown, Berryville, and in several lesser engagements.

This is a tremendous Civil War drum identified to a drummer who, ironically, lost his drum! What a story this piece carries! Comes ready for further research and display.