Here is a unique grouping of Civil War CDVs with a paper-wrap history and later images of Robert H. Hendershot, a.k.a. the ‘Drummer boy of the Rappahannock’ at Fredericksburg, VA.  The seven-piece ensemble consists of four original CDVs of Hendershot as a drummer boy, a postwar image of him, an oversized, 1907-dated, multi-page history in paper wraps of the drummer boy plus a modern note with his cursory postwar history.

Hendershot was born in Moscow Township, Michigan in 1849. A high strung and independent youngster, he escaped the bonds of family in 1861 and attached himself to Michigan recruits joining up. He tried to enlist with the 9^th Michigan regiment and was refused entry. Hendershot persisted and finally became a member of the 9^th as a drummer boy. Later he served in Company B, 8^th Michigan Volunteer Infantry.  He was present with the unit during his term of service participating in the Battle of Murfreesboro, TN Fredericksburg, VA and later survived the war.  He subsequently became known as the “Drummer Boy of Fredericksburg” and remained so until he died.

The four original CDV images in the group are all of young Hendershot as a Union drummer boy posing in uniform either with his drum in hand or seated on the instrument.  Two CDVs are backmarked, one from a Brady negative by E & H. T. Anthony featuring the boy standing in a studio beating on his drum. A modern inscription on back “Robert H. Hendershot / Co B., 8^th Mich Vol. Inf”.  Other CDV backmarked “E.S. Dunshee, Rochester, NY” and depicts drummer boy Hendershot seated on his drum wearing his musician’s uniform. Two other CDVs also show Hendershot standing in a studio with drumsticks in hand beating on holding his drum.    All images are clean and sharp. The Brady CDV is somewhat light in tone and exhibits a scuff visible on the left center area of the drum.  Else just very slight surface grime. The post-war item is a CDV size image of an adult Hendershot posing with his son in band uniforms that served as an advertisement for the Grand Trunk Railway System in Illinois.  A 9½” x 12”  125-page paper wrap history authorized by Hendershot is included.   Title is “Camp Fire / Entertainment / and true history of / R. H. Hendershot / The Original Boy of the Rappahannock”.

This unique pictorial grouping of a noted Civil War soldier from the State of Michigan makes a fine addition to any Civil War collection or personal display of Michigan items.