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Southern drum makers, drummer and fifer want-ads, etc.

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  • Southern drum makers, drummer and fifer want-ads, etc.

    I found a lot of good information by searching in the Richmond Daily Dispatch today. According to George Carroll, the 13th Virginia drum at the MOC was made the same Mr. Wright who appears below (I suppose there is a label inside the drum).

    Also for some reason "fife" and "fifer" were often erroneously transcribed as "life" and "lifer" for some reason.



    The Daily Dispatch: October 27, 1863.

    Military notice

    Drums, Drums, Drums. The subscriber has resumed the manufacture of Snare and Base Drums at his old stand, corner of Main and 10th sts, up stairs, and has on hand, ready for delivery, a number of Drums of both kinds. Ash Shells and Calf Batters, of superior quality; also, one fine Brass Shell Drum.

    Jas Wright.

    The Daily Dispatch: August 12, 1863.

    Military notice.

    To Regimental, Battalion and Company Commanders, and others, other of the Regular or Militia Service — The subscriber, being regularly taught and having been engaged successfully in teaching Drum Corps, would undertake the instruction of boys, provided twenty or more boys can he recurred. His mode of teaching is perfectly correct and can, in a comparatively short time, prepare boys to perform camp duty, learning them all the necessary calls, boats, etc., for the field camp. He can be seen at the corner of 10th and Main streets, up stairs. Also, several good Drums for sale.

    James Wright.

    The Daily Dispatch: February 6, 1861.
    S. Sutherland, Manufacturer and importer of Fire-arms.
    132 Main st., Richmond, Va.
    Constantly on hand--
    muskets and Flints,
    Pistols and Belts,
    rifles and Slings,
    Powder and Balls,
    Caps and Primers,
    swords and Belts, Sashes,
    Drums and Fifes,
    Canteens,
    Gauntlets, &

    The Daily Dispatch: may 28, 1861.

    Georgia made drums.

    --Mr. H Dranmuller, of Atlanta, Georgia, is manufacturing bass and kettle drums, which he guarantee will be found more durable and serviceable than any in use in the South.

    The Daily Dispatch: June 4, 1861.

    Drums.

    --If drums are not very warlike instruments within themselves, they serve an admirable purpose in provoking others to martial deeds. Shakespeare has told us of the "spirit stirring drum and ear-piercing life," which shows that both these instruments were not unknown to past generations. No doubt rude imitations of both of these were in use by men millions of years before the flood. Men, whether engaged in mimic or real fray, will always continue to use them. Many instances are recorded of the result of battles determined by the vigor of the onset, produced by the soul in spiring music played before the soldiers as they marched to the contest. People can fight very well without music, no doubt; but, in a battle, music is the rose that conceals the thorn (death) if it pricks one. A manufactory of drums has been established in this city; we are glad of it. If our brave boys are to meet death, let it be where they can hear the roll of the drum, beating the charge onward for God, Liberty, and our Country.

    The Daily Dispatch: May 9, 1864.

    Wanted
    --A good Fifer for the 25th Virginia Battalion, now at Chasffin's farm. For further particulars apply at Chas Schuman & Bro's, on Main, between 9th and 10th sts.

    The Daily Dispatch: January 31, 1863.

    --All members of Company A, 22d Virginia battalion, (Captain ) now absent from their , are required to report promptly to me in Manchester, on Tuesday next, 3d of February, prepared to return at that time to their company. Those felling to do so will be advertised and treated as deserters.

    By order of
    Lieut. Col N. P. Taylor


    Thos. Hatcher 2d Lt Co. A.

    22d Va batl'n.
    P. S.--wanted--Two Drummers and one Fifer. Apply at the Dispatch office, to

    Lieut. Hatcher.

    The Daily Dispatch: April 7, 1862

    Wanted--
    drummers, Fifer and Buglers, for the 2d Reg't Virginia Artillery, Stationed in the batteries around Richmond--pty immediately at the bean quarters of the regiment, Court Law Baltteny

    Ro Ransill, Col, Comd'g.

    The Daily Dispatch: March 24, 1862.
    Recruiting depot,
    Richmond, March 22, 1862.
    Company "D," Bethel Battery, of the "Degournay Battalion of Artillery," being nearly complete in numbers, the members are requested to report forthwith at the Rendezvous, on Bank street, near the Treasury, to enable the Master and Pay Rolis to be prepared before the 30th instant. Any man neglecting this notice will be published as a deserter, and dealt with according to the articles of war.

    A good Carpenter, or Wheelwright, a Drummer and Fifer, and a few able-bodied men will be received. None but respectable persons need apply, as the Company is composed of citizens of high character and standing.

    W. Norris Coffin, Capt.

    Com'dg Co. D, Bethel Artillery.

    The Daily Dispatch: June 28, 1862.

    To Colonels of regiments.
    --The services of a first-class Drummer, competent to instruct, can be had by addressing "X. Y. Z.," Staunton P. O., Staunton, Va

    The Daily Dispatch: July 24, 1861.
    Wanted — immediately
    --Ten Drummer Boys, to be attached to Col. August's Regiment, stationed at King's Mill, on James River, applications to be made at the store of Mr. Pratt, Drum Major corner 2d and Broad streets. Liberal wages will be paid.

    By order of
    Col. August.


    Alb. Lybrock.

    Commanding Marton Rifles

    The Daily Dispatch: July 19, 1861.
    Armory of President's Guard,
    Richmond, July 18th, 1861.
    Members of this Command will assemble at their Armory on this (Friday) evening, at 8 o'clock. for inspection, division into squads, assignments to hours for drill, etc. The punctual attendance of all the members is indispensable.

    The Armory will be open each day, and an officer will be in attendance continually to receive recruits. The Armory is in the large building on 10th street, between Main and Cary, some time occupied by the Marion Rifles.

    Two musicians, a drummer and filer, will find employment by applying at the Armory of the Company.

    A few additional names are needed to complete the roll of the corps, and persons can apply at the Armory of the Company, or, as heretofore, at my office, corner of Bank and 11th streets, and at the Banking House of C. W. Purcell & Co.

    The Daily Dispatch: July 15, 1861.
    Wanted
    --A Competent Drummer. To such extra pay will be given. Apply to Capt. Frank B. Schaeffer,

    Beauregard Rifles, Camp Stevens,

    The Daily Dispatch: April 20, 1861.

    Wanted — Drummers.
    --Wanted 42 over sixteen years of age, to enlist in the Drum Corps of the 1st Regiment Va. Volunteers for immediate service. Boys must come prepared, with the permission of par or guardians, properly authenticated. Apply to the Drum Major, at Military Hall, over the Old Market, from 11 to 2 o'clock, and from 4 to 6 o'clk.

    The Daily Dispatch: may 2, 1861.

    A Chance for the boys.
    --The Drum Major of the First Regiment advertising for twelves boys for immediate service.

    The Daily Dispatch: January 13, 1862.

    To young officers, and those who wish to become Expert in Military exercises.
    --Mr. Charles Decamp, late Drum Major of the Fourteenth Louisiana Regiment, offers his services to all novices in the military profession as instructor in the use of the short Sword, according to the practice of the French Military schools. He will also give lessons in the Manual of arms, and tea young drummers according to scientific rules.

    He will always be found at his rooms, over the Arcade Saloon, opposite the First Market, from 8 o'clock to H. A. M., and from 5 o'clock, P. M., daily.
    Charles Decamp,



    I also found this interesting. References to black fifers and drummers in the southern armies are always turning up.

    The Daily Dispatch: June 20, 1861.
    Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
    another company in Norfolk county--the Jackson Greys.
    Camp of Instruction, Pussast Grove, Norfolk County, Va., June 17, 1861.
    We have raised, without difficulty, a new company of Infantry, numbering sixty men, We call ourselves the "Jackson Greys," after the late valorous host of the Marshall House, Alexandria, and we are here encamped tea the purpose of being thoroughly drilled in the Infantry faction, and at least partially drilled in camp life. We are dependent the liberality of the farmers in the neighborhood for our fare. So far, they have supplied us most generously with hams, poultry, and other good things of law season, and as all give us a hearty "God speed," we doubt not we shall keep supplied Our uniform is being made and we are furnished with a black drummer and fifer, and the ladies of the neighborhood have subscribed the money to purchase a handsome flag for us. We are doing our bees to be mustered into service, armed and ordered to meet the enemy. W.
    Last edited by 33rdaladrummer; 11-28-2008, 02:57 PM.
    Will Chappell

  • #2
    Re: Southern drum makers, drummer and fifer want-ads, etc.

    OK...so I've been doing a little reading lately, and came across the following ad in the Richmond Dispatch (found through Mike Gorman's CivilWarRichmond.com Website):

    From Richmond Dispatch, 4/26/1861, p. 2
    WANTED – DRUMMER. – Company B, Lieut. D. G. McINTOSH, First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, wish to employ a KETTLE DRUMMER. Apply at their quarters, at the New Poor House Building, north end of 3d street.
    ap 26 – 3t*
    So this brings up my question; what is a kettle drum (in 19th century martial music)?

    Thanks,

    Paul B.
    Paul B. Boulden Jr.


    RAH VA MIL '04
    (Loblolly Mess)
    [URL="http://23rdva.netfirms.com/welcome.htm"]23rd VA Vol. Regt.[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.virginiaregiment.org/The_Virginia_Regiment/Home.html"]Waggoner's Company of the Virginia Regiment [/URL]

    [URL="http://www.military-historians.org/"]Company of Military Historians[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.moc.org/site/PageServer"]Museum of the Confederacy[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.historicsandusky.org/index.html"]Historic Sandusky [/URL]

    Inscription Capt. Archibold Willet headstone:

    "A span is all that we can boast, An inch or two of time, Man is but vanity and dust, In all his flower and prime."

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    • #3
      Re: Southern drum makers, drummer and fifer want-ads, etc.

      Paul,

      From what I've gathered, the terms snare drum, side drum, tenor drum, and kettle drum were all used to describe the same instrument.

      It seems the Americans corrupted the use of kettle drum, because true kettle drums are the same thing as tympani. The British still had it right in 1862:

      DRUM (Ger. trammel; Fr. tambour—a modification of labour; timbrel and tambourine are other forms of the word labour or tambour), a hollow cylinder of wood or metal, having skin (parchment) stretched across one or both ends, upon which the drummer beats with an instrument of wood or metal called a drumstick. The drum is used as an instrument of music along with other instruments in bands, and particularly for military purposes. The military drum serves for giving various signals as well as for music. There are three kinds of drum— the side drum, the big or base drum, and the kettle drum. Since 1858, the British infantry are supplied with brass side drums, three pounds lighter than those formerly in use, and tuned with screws instead of straps and ropes. The cavalry drum is a copper or brass hemisphere, thus resembling a kettle, v. it.li a parchment lid.

      Chambers's encyclopaedia: a dictionary of universal knowledge for the people‎ - Page 677 - 1862
      Will Chappell

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