Leather/Rope/Wood/Skin/Metal/Brass/Varnish

H-16 Dia-17 inches

The shell is painted with an oil-based paint. It has a blue background, an eagle with wings outstretched, a laurel branch in one foot, and arrows in the other - in Federal Infantry style. The eagle has the American shield on its chest, and holds a banner in its mouth that reads "REG. US INFANTRY".

The position of the snares is apparent on this drum by the dark shadow left on the TOP of the drum head. However, snares should be on the bottom of the drum. This means that the painting on the shell as it is positioned now would be upside down when played. The original snares are missing.

The bottom of the drum bears the cursive name "Frank Coleman" in ink.
The Number "38" is painted in white on the lower front of the painting on the drum. There is a white label with the printed black number "108" attached to the red rim of the upper hoop of the drum, but there is also another white label on the other side with an upside down printed black number "50".

To the proper left of this is painted "Gettysburg, Pa July 1&2&3, 1863".

On the inside of the drum is a white label that reads, "MANUFACTURED BY HORSTMAN, BROS & CO. MILITARY FURNISHERS, FIFTH AND CHERRY STREETS, PHILADELPHIA"

The US Civil War database did not find any drummers or musicians of the name Frank or Francis Coleman. There were, however, many enlisted men by the name Frank Coleman. Only two of these seemed probable as the owner of this drum, provided that the records in the database are complete. One, a Frank Coleman was listed as having enlisted on 8/29/1862 as a private, mustering into "G" Co., PA 114th Infantry. The 114th participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. He survived the war and mustered out on 5/29/1865 at Arlington Heights, VA.

Two, a Francis Coleman from Somerset Co., PA enlisted on 8/26/1862 and was placed in "F" Co.142nd Regiment. This company participated in the Battle of Gettysburg as well.

Played on 2nd and 3rd day's fight.