Stevens Snare Drum: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This drum was made by Abner Stevens in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1812. The wood drum shell has been cut down approximately 3 inches from each end and features an image of the American bald eagle on a flag shield with a banner inscribed “LIBERTY OR DEATH.” It has black painted hoops and metal hooks laced with rope through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The drum is currently disassembled. The paper label inside the shell is inscribed:

AMERICAN DRUMS ABNE[R] [S]TEVENS, HA[S] FOR SALE TAMBOREANS, BASS & COM[ ] DRUMS, MADE IN THE BEST MANNER At his Factory in the center of the town of PITTSFIELD, (Ms.) 1812.

”This drum was carried during five years of the Civil War by Henry K. Bevier, father of donor, who was drum major of the 72d New York Zuaves. He carried the drum through many engagements of the Civil War including the Battle of Gettysburg and also in the Victory Parade held in Washington, D. C. at the close of the War. The family tradition is that this drum was originally purchased by his grandfather who carried it during the War of 1812.”

”Henry K. Bevier was born on December 1, 1843 at Jerusalem in Erie County/New York, the son of Samuel and Rhoda Taylor. On August 5, 1869, he married Mary M. Taylor and in 1873 settled in Elisabethtown, Bartholemew County, Indiana. He later moved to Nebraska and was at the time of his death in his 90's the oldest surviving Civil War veteran in Nebraska."

”Some time after the Civil War, Bevier cut three inches off the top of the drum body and three inches off its bottom and made a new drum which he gave to one son. The remaining center portion, was made into another drum and given to another son, which is the drum donated to the museum.”

Henry K. Bevier (1843-1938 ) [recorded in roster as Brevier] enlisted on May 28, 1861. He was a musician with the 72nd New York Infantry, Company D. He was mustered in June 20, 1861. Bevier was mustered out June 19, 1864.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1812
• maker: Stevens, Abner
• Object Name: drum
• Other Terms: Drum; Army
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Physical Description: paint (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 11 in x 17 in x 17 in; 27.94 cm x 43.18 cm x 43.18 cm
• place made: United States: Massachusetts, Pittsfield
• ID Number: MI.066621
• accession number: 232886
• catalog number: 66621
• Credit Line: Gift of E. B. Bevier
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The displayed image also has an explicit CC0 designation.