Object Record
Images
Additional Images [3]
Metadata
Object Name |
Drum |
Common Name |
Battle of the Thames Drum |
Catalog Number |
1909.22 |
Maker |
Horne, Robert |
Date |
1812 |
Material(s) |
Brass/Hide/Jute/Leather |
Dimensions |
H-16.5 W-16.5 D-17 inches |
Description |
This is a brass drum with wooden rims. The ears and the roping were done in 1989 and are not original to the drum. They are similar to the make of other early 19th century British drums. The brass body is said to be over painted but there is no clear evidence of an original layer. The front of the body is painted with a red field with a black border. Within the field are two black and green olive branches that cross at the top and are open near the bottom forming a wreath around two golden olive branches in the center. The golden branches form a wreath around a black oval section that contains an inscription in gold. The painted inscription reads - "Drum taken at the Battle of Thames and presented to the 42nd Regt Ky Militia having turned out more volunteers during the late war than any other Ky regiment." The 42nd Regiment was raised primarily in Fayette County, Kentucky. There is a sound hole to the side of the field that is surrounded by four incised circles. The drum head bears a maker's mark that is illegible and an inscription that reads "Jouett BEARD/ L." The makers label is found inside the drum's body. The maker's label reads - "Robert Horne, Drum Maker, &c To His Majesty's Hon(oura)ble Board of Ordnance...London..." An examination by the Canadian Parks service revealed an inscription on the bottom section of the brass shell. The inscription reads - "John M. Heran lieutenant to 42nd Regiment Kentucky Militia and Ensyn to 1st Regiment K.Y. volunteer militia Dun at battle the river Thames." At the midpoint " N Y " is inscribed. |
Notes |
Captured at the Battle of the Thames in 1813, possibly from the British 41st Regiment, by Richard M. Johnson regiment of Kentucky Mounted Rifles. It was presented by General William Henry Harrison to the 42nd Kentucky Militia Regiment after the war ended. |
Collection |
KHS Museum Collection |
Event |
Battle of the Thames |
People |
Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841 Johnson, Richard Mentor, 1780-1850 |
Subjects |
Communication devices Drums Musical instruments War |
Search Terms |
War of 1812 Battle of the Thames |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |