1863
This drum and drumsticks of the 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry were carried by James Hestler at the Battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863.
The 18th Iowa Infantry was assigned to the defense of Springfield, Missouri, from November 1862 through the winter of 1863. On January 8, 1863, a rebel force under Marmaduke launched an attack against Springfield. After a fierce day long battle, the 18th Iowa, despite overwhelming odds and heavy casualties, successfully repelled the attack. In his history of the regiment, Colonel Hugh Campbell wrote:
“The regiment behaved nobly, standing their ground against three times their number, and by their coolness and determination saving the town and its valuable stores on which the army of the Frontier, thence drawing its supplies, depended for its existence…”
The drum and drumsticks were given to Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 69, Springfield, Missouri by the W. P. Boone GAR Post of Iowa.
Painted in red on one drum head is “Post 69” and “18 Iowa VI Presented to Post 69 by W. P. Boone Post”; painted on the other drum head is “Used at the Battle of Springfield 1863 by Jas. Hestler.”
Object Details
Categories: War & Conflict
Date: 1863
Subject: Civil War, 1861-1865
Contributing Institution: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Accession Number: WICR 30164
Copy Request: Contact Wilson's Creek National Battlefield at: (417)-732-2662; 6424 West Farm Road 182 Republic, MO 65738.
Rights: The Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Civil War Museum is providing access to these materials for educational and research purposes only. The written permission of the copyright owner(s) and/or other right holder(s) (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected images(s) beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an image(s) and securing any necessary permission ultimately rests with person(s) desiring to use the image(s). Images that are the property of Wilson's Creek National Battlefield should be cited as: Image Credit: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Civil War Museum.
County: Greene
Region: Southwest
Type: Object
Language: English
Latitude: 37.115684
Longitude: -93.419420
Photographer: Steve Ross