BEAUTIFUL DRUM PRESENTED TO MARYLAND SOLDIER AND MUSICIAN

Hand-painted snare drum presented to Joseph S. Leedy, drummer in Co. C, Purnell Legion Maryland Infantry. N.p., 1863. Diam. 18 in. with 14 in. height. 

Silver plaque to drum’s side reads: “Presented to / JOSEPH S. LEEDY / by Officers of the Purnell Legion Md. Vols / A REWARD for / Faithful Services / May 1863”.

Snare drum with hoops and rims painted in tricolor stripes, both original drum heads intact, original rope fasteners, and seven original leather tighteners. 

This drum was presented to Joseph S. Leedy in May 1863 for his “Faithful Services” as a drummer to the “Purnell Legion Md Vols.” The Purnell Legion combined nine infantries, two cavalries, and two light artillery batteries into one unit.

Joseph S. Leedy mustered into Company C of the Legion on 2 October 1861. After Colonel Purnell’s resignation and the Legion split, Leedy continued with the Infantry (still designated Purnell’s Legion). The Legion was part of Goodrich’s Brigade during the Battle of Antietam, occupying a line west of Dunker Church, where 3 were killed and 23 were wounded. In addition to Antietam, the Legion fought in the Battles of Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, and Stone Mountain. 

Although the official Purnell Legion disbanded with the resignation of Colonel Purnell, it seems Leedy stayed in Company C until he mustered out on 24 October 1864. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Relics, Militaria] 

A rip and some wear on the drum’s batter head.