A Civil War veteran's drum played at the first Memorial Day observations in 1869, with provenance. Items include: 

1. Hand-painted snare drum with two sets of drumsticks. Yonkers, New York: S. Tompkins & Sons, 4 July 1865. Original printed paper label affixed to interior of drum. Diam. 17 1/4 in. H. 14 1/2 in. 

Snare drum with hoops and rims painted red, yellow, and black. Both original drumheads intact with original gut snares, rope fasteners, and 10 original leather tighteners. Hand-painted with star motif. 

2. Autograph document signed. Greenlawn, Long Island, [New York], 30 May 1870. 1 page, visible 6 3/4 x 5 in., framed to 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. 

In full: "This Drum was used by me (Wm. Denice?) in the first Memorial Day observation May 30th 1869, by order of J.A. Logan Commander, G.A.R. I was Drummerboy in [illeg.] state of New York 1st Vol., in the Army of the Potomac '61-'63."

While national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, General John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11, designating May 30 as "Decoration Day" to honor the fallen soldiers. While some communities held annual observations as early as 1866, Logan's Order was instrumental in establishing Memorial Day as a national holiday. 

This remarkable drum, as attested by the near-contemporary note, was used in these very early observations by a veteran New York drummer boy. 

A wonderful artifact. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Relics, Militaria] [Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms] [Musicians, Musical Instruments, Drums, Percussion Instruments] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

Puncture to drumhead. Damage to 3 of the fasteners.