Charles N Paige Civil War Drum

Dad has told us that one of our ancestors was a "drummer boy" in the civil war. By chance I have found the drum that "Chas N. Paige" used in the Civil War. The current owner, a collector, claims that it once belonged to a Charles N Paige who was in the 4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Several of our family members state this drum had first been in our grandfather's garage and then our father's garage for many years before it disappeared.

Here are pictures and the description. You can see his name stenciled in the second picture.

This is the collector's description:

Circa 1840's dated eagle snare drum made by Steven Emory, Rindge, New Hampshire. Body of drum is maple with lapped seam, 13.5" high and 16" diameter. Both rims with rich patina, the body of the drum is painted with New England style feather-painting simulated burl wood typical of furniture from the same era. The face of the drum displays a complete American Eagle motif with shield, green stippled background with red/gold sunburst surrounding a hand painted eagle design as seen on other Emory drums of the same period. Outstanding color and patina remaining on the drum and skins. Skins & some of the tugs are original and excellent, ropes likely replaced.

Excellent maker's label, "S.EMERY, RINDGE, N.H." which is visible through the percussion hole. An original stencil appears on the top skins, presumably the drummer’s name, "Chas. N. Paige", possibly Charles N. Paige who served in the 4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Original brass tensioner and tension strings still present on bottom head, not commonly intact on military drums. The maker "S. Emory" is found on pages 41 and 26 (supplement) of American Military Goods, Dealers, and Makers by Bazelon & McGuinn. In addition, this actual drum is pictured in the book “United States Military Drums 1845 – 1865” by G. Craig Caba, plate #15.