As part of a government contract for 2000 drums in 1864, this eagle snare drum was constructed by Ernest Vogt of Philadelphia.

A stenciled winged eagle is painted over an infantry blue background on the drum's face. The eagle bears a red riband marked "Reg. U.S. Infantry” but is without regimental designation on the left banner. On the eagle’s breast is a traditional American shield. Surrounding his head are twenty-nine six-pointed stars, and above the eagle, the fiery arched clouds are capped with a sunburst pattern of rays. The ash shell is decorated with Vogt’s personal tack pattern, an arrow-circle-arrow design with vertical borders on each side.

Original and uncut, the drum stands 16” high and the drum body is 16½” wide. Skins and ropes are original, with top skin bearing stencil initials (presumably the drummer’s) "G. D." Counter hoops are original red color and drilled for ropes. The drum bears excellent maker’s label "Ernest Vogt, manufacturer of Drums, Banjos, Tambourines, &c. No. 225 Beaver Street, Philadelphia, Contract, December 29, 1864.”

Eagle Regimental Drum - 9th Mass Infantry. This is a Civil War dated presentation drum identified to the 9th Massachusetts Infantry. Label inside drum identifies its maker as Massachusetts Drum Manufactory - John C. Haynes & Co. Boston. Haynes supplied drums to Civil War regiments from 1863 - 1865 and was known to use the more dramatic eagle motif of the official Army discharge documents as seen on this drum, termed "the landing eagle.” The drum’s 12½” height and 14½" diameter, dark maple rims and shell and brass reinforcing tacks at the shell seam are all characteristic of surviving examples of Haynes drums. The drum's most striking aspect is the originally painted full color eagle landing on the American shield and panoply of arms and flags. A white twisting riband contains the regimental marking, "9th Mass Vols." Twin red banners on opposing sides of the eagle motif carry battle honors: "Peninsula, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Virginia 1863, Wilderness (where they suffered 160 killed and wounded on the Orange turnpike in an hour’s fighting.)" The 9th Mass was present at each of these battles. They also fought at Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville, Gaines’ Mill (167 killed and wounded) and Malvern Hill (93 killed and wounded). After the battle honors were marked on this drum the 9th was later severely engaged at Spotsylvania Court House with many casualties.

Original fine braid ropes of presentation quality remain intact; both skins are original with two minor splits on bottom skin, brass tensioner and gut snares are also present, counter hoops in sound condition with minor losses to top hoop, likely caused by drummer's rim tapping. Accompanied by original sling and drumsticks. A great drum identified to a hard fighting Irish regiment.