This drum and drumsticks of the 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry were carried by James Hestler at the Battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863.
The 18th Iowa Infantry was assigned to the defense of Springfield, Missouri, from November 1862 through the winter of 1863. On January 8, 1863, a rebel force under Marmaduke launched an attack against Springfield. After a fierce day long battle, the 18th Iowa, despite overwhelming odds and heavy casualties, successfully repelled the attack. In his history of the regiment, Colonel Hugh Campbell wrote:
“The regiment behaved nobly, standing their ground against three times their number, and by their coolness and determination saving the town and its valuable stores on which the army of the Frontier, thence drawing its supplies, depended for its existence…”
The drum and drumsticks were given to Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Post 69, Springfield, Missouri by the W. P. Boone GAR Post of Iowa.
Painted in red on one drum head is “Post 69” and “18 Iowa VI Presented to Post 69 by W. P. Boone Post”; painted on the other drum head is “Used at the Battle of Springfield 1863 by Jas. Hestler.”
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30164
