Here we have a post-war cabinet card photograph of “William C. Drummer, Co. F,” which is printed on the bottom part of the mount. This image is likely an 1890s reprint of a Civil War era photograph as the soldier in the image wears a kepi along with a dark blue single-breasted frock coat.

The image is clear with no detracting marks to note. The mount has been clipped at the soldier’s name and obscures the printing a bit. There are also small semi-circle imprints along the left and right sides as well as the top; this, in addition to the fact that the image has been clipped, indicates it had been attached in an album or frame of some sort.

Red ink on the reverse of the image indicates “William C. Drummer, Co. F. 2^nd N.H. Vol. Keene, N.H. Wounded & mising July 2^nd 1863.” There is another pencil notation: “Paid .50, Paid 1.00, 1.50.” There is also a modern pencil notation in the upper right-hand corner of no value to the subject.

Drummer enlisted with the 2^nd New Hampshire in September of 1861 as a private at age 17, mustering into Company F. As the noted on the back of the cabinet card, Drummer is listed in the muster-out roll as missing (and possibly wounded) at Gettysburg on the second day of the battle. The 2^nd New Hampshire had recently been transferred to Burling’s Brigade of the 3^rd Corps, but the regiment was ordered to fall in with the men of Graham’s brigade to defend the Sherfy farm in the infamous Peach Orchard fight. This is likely where Drummer met his end. It is not clear that Drummer’s body was ever found; a headstone exists for both he and his brother at Woodlawn Cemetery in Keene, New Hampshire, but the memorial stone states “Brother of John A (body not found).” More research into the subject may uncover more details surrounding William Drummer and his brother, John, who was a private in Company A of the 2^nd Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, who died in December of 1861 with the regiment.

Service records were not readily available for Private William Drummer but are available through the National Archives. Drummer is not listed in the pension index, indicating that none of his family members applied for his pension.

In addition to their difficult engagement at Gettysburg, the 2nd New Hampshire was a hard-fought regiment seeing action at 1st Bull Run, Williamsburg, Oak Grove, Gaines’ Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, 2nd Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville. After Gettysburg, the 2nd garrisoned Point Lookout for a time before returning to the army to fight at Drewry’s Bluff, Cold Harbor and Petersburg.  [cls]

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