Major Edward W. Drummond, CSA – His Journal & Family Archive – SOLD

Description

Major Edward W. Drummond’s story is not singular, but the known cases of a northern born, recently removed and newly established young gentleman from the North, and giving his loyalty to the South are certainly not common. Born in Maine, and at the age of 21, Edward moved to Savannah, Georgia, and established himself working in a commission business in that city beginning in 1854 (See the silk broadside below). He met a young woman from Savannah, Mary Ann Dixon, and the two were married in 1860.

After only a few short years of growing to know the region, learning and dealing with southern culture, just really beginning to settle in, Edward Drummond had to make a choice in his loyalties; to the North, his family, and the Abolitionist sympathies he was accustomed to, or to the South, his new home, a wife and extended family and friends that had become equally important, or more so. He chose to remain in Savannah, and to take up arms against all he had known.  Mary, his wife and a young son, contributed mightily to his reasoning, as well as new friends and associates. His brother-in-law, William Daniel Dixon, an officer of the Republican Blues, or Company “C” of the 1st George Infantry, had become a good friend, and seeing him along with many he knew going to war, caused him to enlist in August of 1861.

Drummond’s education, and clerical skills made him a great candidate for the position of quartermaster sergeant on the regimental staff of the 1st Georgia, and upon his enlisted joined his unit at Fort Pulaski, near Savannah.

Fort Pulaski was constructed between 1829 and 1833, erected to provide needed defenses of the important southern port of Savannah. During the siege there by Federal troops under the command of Gen. Quincy Gilmore, Pulaski was garrisoned by some 400 southern soldiers, who finally surrendered after a two month siege on April 11th, 1862. Drummond, Dixon, and other officers and staff members were sent to Governor’s Island, New York Harbor, and later all were transferred to the Prisoner of War camp at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, where they remained until exchanged for at Vicksburg, Mississippi in September of 1862.

After returning home, and with rest, “Ned” Drummond returned to his position as QMtr. Sergeant in the old 1st George infantry. That regiment remained in the Savannah area, and in June of 1863, Drummond was assigned as Chief of Commissary under Major J.L. Locke, and quickly reassigned under Major George Robertson, Commissary Subsistence Department, Savannah.

In 1864, General William T. Sherman’s armies approached Atlanta, and in late April, the 1st Georgia was ordered to join the brigade commanded by General H.W. Mercer, of General Joe Johnston’s army. On May 2nd, Ned took the position vacated by Major Robertson, and now as a captain (eventually promoted to rank of major), was Gen. Mercer’s Com Sub. He saw a good deal of action from then on during the Atlanta Campaign, and elsewhere.  He had his horse shot from beneath in one engagement.

During the Battle of Jonesboro, a critical engagement and key to the fate that eventually befell Atlanta, the 1st Georgia was opposite federal forces under the command of Gen. O.O. Howard. It is a most interesting occurrence, for it was Colonel O.O. Howard, who initially commanded the 3rd Maine Regiment, the same unit “Ned’s brother George Clark Drummond was still a member of who had been fighting to the north in the Army of the Potomac.

Atlanta fell to Sherman’s forces by mid September, and Mrs. Mary Drummond, and all of Savannah prepared themselves for the arrival of federal forces in their city (this is all covered in her memoirs listed later). Gen. Joe Johnson, was now in command of combined Confederate forces, having been pushed back into the Carolinas. Johnston’s forces made their last major movement against Sherman at Bentonville, North Carolina, on March 19, 1865, and this was Ned’s last major engagement.  Within a month more Johnston surrendered his army.  Soon, Ned Drummond, and his brother-in-law William Dixon would be returning home to Savannah.

I will continue with the history now as I list the various items in the archive;

• Edward W. Drummond’s “Journal of Incidents While Cut Off at Fort Pulaski,” begun January 27th, 1862. The journal is written on that intended for accounting purposes, with vertical lines and columns as described in correspondence with between Ned’s grandson, Eugene D. Drummond, and an Alex Lawrence of Savannah who was doing some research- copy letters from 1960.  The journal contains 162 numbered pages. The time at Fort Pulaski is written in ink, and for the most part thereafter, is recorded in pencil. Nearly everyday has an entry, covering the duties, then siege, surrender, time at Governor’s Island prison in NY Harbor, and then to Johnson’s Island, and ending in mid September of 1862.   The journal has some cash accounts on the inside cover; a crude drawing of the Johnson Island prison camp, showing the prisoners buildings, etc.  The book is legal sized, with marbled paper on hard covers. Weak at the spine, and much flaking of the leather on the spine.  Good detail of the siege at Pulaski, activities at Governor’s Island, musters, baseball, parole to go to church, and other activities on the island, food, supplies, new prisoners joining with the Pulaski group, talk of family members from Maine hoping to use political clout to obtain release through Washington channels, gossip and rumors, and more.  On June 20th, on their (the prisoners) parole, they begin their journey to Johnson’s Island via Penn. RR at Jersey City, NJ. to near Sandusky, Ohio. He is assigned to barrack block No, 5, they sleep their first night on straw and a blanket that was issued, their baggage having not arrived with them. The place is all mud, but plenty to eat, and the sutler has other goods at four times the value. On the 30th of June, article in New York Tribune recounts the federal rout before Richmond, which brings cheers and tears from the 1300 or so at the prison. Much talk of release through negotiations, the prisoners are offered to sign an Oath of Allegiance to the U.S. Government and one Tennesseean took upon him to sign.  Description of daily activities, war news, heard that some of the Gov. Island POWs escaped (those sent to Fort Delaware), Ned keeps up with financial news from old newspapers, recording of a few deaths among them, All confederate chaplains are to be released as of August 4th, 1862. From mid August most everyday is filled with excitement about exchange news and developments, prisoners trying to raise their spirits sing Negro Airs. They left Johnson’s Island on the Friday, Sept. 1, 1862 for Vicksburg. The journey is hard for some, without proper food, and without the money to procure it. The prisoners arrive at Helena, Arkansas, Sept. 13th.  There are pages torn from the end of the journal, and as recorded in the book by Roger S. Durham, “A Confederate Yankee,” it is undeterminable as to what they might have contained for information if any.  Far more information in the journal than I can recount here.
• THE HOLY BIBLE, Containing The Old And New Testaments; Translated Out Of The Original Tongues, And With The Former Translations Diligently Compared And Revised. NEW YORK: American Bible Society, 1861.  Leather bound, 965 pages, small sized 4×6″ approximate covers. Presentation on inside fly leaf in period pencil, “Presented o  E. W. Drummond the 27th  day of April, 1862, his first Sabath at Governors Island as a Prisoner of War. He may have written out the presentation; his name is written in a banner above. The name “GEORGE” is written in pen on the flat of the pages, and may have been from another prisoner who may have died?  Leather split at spine in front, with wear on covers and edges and corners. Shows good use.
• Mexican Silver Dollar, dated 1862, reverse side completely voided as coinage and made into a token, “To INA, from her / Father / E.W. Drummond / Major C.S.A. / April 26th, 1865.” a hole was drilled for wear on a chain. (It is assumed that Ned had one made for each of his children). The Confederate army under General Johnston were paid off in Mexican Silver at Durham, N.C. on the date recorded on this modified coin/ token, April 26, 1865. This Mexican 8 Reales is nearly identical in size and weight of a U.S. Morgan Silver dollar.
• Gold Locket for watch chain, Masonic order, Royal Arch Chapter No. 3, Savannah, Ga., and engraved with the letters, “K.S.H.T.W.S.S.T.” in a circle surrounding an engraved fully rigged sailing ship at the center. Keystone shaped, with ring attached to bale. Missing the two small ferrotypes that were once contained within. Ned mentions in his journal, while at Governors Island, that his wife’s picture was lost from his locket, and it is likely it was lost from here. When he left for the war, the only other picture that might have been inside, was the image of his son George. No markings,  Dings, dents, and wear overall.  23mm high not including the bale.
• A 3 1/4 x 4 1/2 ” Masonic Hall Hop Invitation for 1860, on glossy white stock, with gold panoply of musical instruments, and lettering in red and blue. Some staining.
• A large photo album, containing family images, views of Savannah (post war), some confederate soldiers, such as Captain Dixon in Republican Blues uniform, and another in same uniform after the war but de-militarized, a few others but not in uniform.  Views of Boston, from Drummond family trip to that area after the war, and prior to 1876, many unidentified. When purchasing this lot from the family, I had learned that it was given to a local antique dealer to determine value with the idea of selling it. The dealer had it for a good time, and when the family went to retrieve it, they found that the dealer had sold a number of images out of the album. The list within the album records many of the images as placed in sequence which did not apply once I had the opportunity to go through it carefully. At least a dozen or more were just throw in, not matching up to the id’s, or just holes where images had been. Unfortunately, their whereabouts is lost.  The album itself, is in very rough shape, soiled, etc. I took the liberty to reorganize the CDVs and tintypes according to family photos that were used in the book by Durham, “A Confederate Yankee,” and outdoor views of Savannah, the Drummond home that was once standing in the center of the city (destroyed by fire in the mid 1900s.), and some Boston images.  There are still many in the original album that need to be researched and represent both Savannah and Maine sides of the family, along with friends, etc. (a civilian image of Gen. Wade Hampton is there, but badly stained), maybe a few more good surprises with some men of wartime age to have been soldiers during the Civil War.  I have not photographed any of these from the original album. There are news clipping about  Ned, and family pasted in front.
• Tintype of Ned used on dust jacket of book by Roger Durham.
• 1/4 plate daguerreotype of “Great Grandmother Dixon, Mrs Mary Elizabeth (Foley) Dixon”
• Framed hand painted portrait I believe is a young Mary Ann Dixon Drummond on ivory. Ivory is cracked through.
• Small CDV album with family, with both Maine and Savannah families. I have photographed these images used in Durham’s book,( not all are presently in the archive).  There are more than I photographed. The album has 22 images, several of Ned, Mary (color tinted but heavily trimmed), his father, mother, sister Annette, 3 of brother George Clark Drummond, Ned’s children at various ages, Captain William Dixon in uniform, and another just post war. A good number of these are trimmed, a few severely trimmed.  Younger brother George Clark Drummond, had enlisted in the 3rd Maine Vols. in June of 1861 as a private, and would later attain the rank of sergeant, having seen a good deal of fighting with the northern Army of the Potomac. One of the stiffest challenges faced by the 3rd Maine came on the 2nd day at Gettysburg, Pa., fighting under the immediate command of General Dan Sickles. On the 3rd of July, the 3rd Maine was at the Union center in the rear, and unfortunately took a good deal of artillery fire from confederate guns trying to soften up the lines on Cemetery Ridge, prior to the ill fated attack by the confederates best known as Picket’s Charge. Later in the fight the regiment was called forward to help turn back the enemy attack. There is a great image of Ned and George together after the war in civilian clothes, reunited again, apparently with any deep seated hostility removed as they posed for that photograph.
• Small CDV album containing 18 cdv images.  15 were taken by J.N. Wilson of Savannah, Ga. One view of General Stonewall Jackson’s grave plot, and a tintype to George and Ina Drummond from a friend, inscribed on the mat. These are in a similar condition as above. Some of the outdoor views are faded, and trimmed.
• Small CDV album containing 12 images, mostly by one Boston photographer of Boston Common, and other related local scenes, presumably some family from Maine.
• Mary Drummond’s Memoirs, written in 1868, for a talk she gave about her wartime experiences in Savannah. Written in pen, on accounting lined paper. Her account is fabulous cover many of the incidents that seldom are read from the wife’s perspective. Here are some excerpts:

 

As I have been requested as a Daughter of the Confederacy to write up some of my experience during the Confederate war, will try to do so for the best of my ability………..

When the call to arms in defense of homes & firesides resounded through the South many, dear to us responded, Fathers, Sons, Brothers & husbands leaving their homes & families in answer to the call. Oh what a sad time it was for us all, but we women of the South, knowing the cause for being a just one, bade our boys good bye with cheerful faces, reserving our heartaches & fears until they departed…………

My husband Edward W. Drummond enlisted for the War & went to Fort Pulaski ……….Occasionally we would hear the booming of cannon & at every sound our hearts would shrill not knowing what was happening down there, but the time came at last & our agony was indescribable & the suspense dreadful. Our men fought bravely against odds until they could resist no longer……

The war continuing for four years brought many of the Southern people almost to the verge of want. Fear with most of our men & boys gone, were necessarily compelled to put our shoulders to the wheel & attend to any and all business connected with our affairs…….

To us who had always been so dependent upon our natural protectors, it was very hard to become accustomed to do for ourselves, but it had to be done & the wonder is, how we ever got strength & courage to accomplish as much as we did. Money was in a manner plentiful, but even that could not always obtain for us what we needed…….

Occasionally a vessel would run the blockade & it would be hailed with delight as we were really in need of many things and were willing to pay fabulous prices for an opportunity of making a change in diet & wearing apparel. How we would make over odd dresses, turn them, add pieces to the skirts, and by trimming, make a new one & while my husband was on Post duty, his best uniform suit began to look quite faded. I concluded that I might improve it, so ripped it up, turned the material and made a very nice looking suit out of it…..

Some of us became experts at knitting socks & stockings…… for we made shoes over too, by taking the soles that were good, ripping off the uppers, getting canvas, and cutting out the sippers from the old patterns, soak the soles, sew on the uppers, then turn the shoe, and let it dry, Black the canvas, and we had a very nice looking shoe for war times…………

How well do I remember that day, Dec’r morning we were up very late the night before, burning letters and all papers of importance as we did not know what to expect from the Army when the City was taken, still hoping almost against hope, that nothing would be disturbed…….. for soon the whole Army came marching into the City. They lost no time in throwing out Sentinels, one being stationed just at the corner where we lived, made e feel better protected…….. While at breakfast there was a ring at the door bell……. At the door stood a soldier, He said “Madam, I would beg a cup of coffee, as our wagons have not come up yet, and I am almost starved.” It was the sentinel at the corner,…….. however went in and prepared a breakfast from the table, and sent it out to him…….. he thanked me & said Madam, I will protect your home & everything around it, and when I leave here you will not be disturbed………

Will any of us, who passed through the dreadful ordeal ever forget the day that the orders came for all Rebel Officer’s wives & children to be sent across the lines? I fear one never shall, I had a sick child at the time and could not go, so decided to call upon Gen’l Grover, …… called at headquarters, was ushered into the presence of the Gen’l, ….. Told my business, & he said Mrs Drummond your need not go until you are ready, that was settled. Waited until my child was better, then had to see Col. York who was Provost Marshal about my trunks and made a request that they be searched at my home so that if there was anything contraband in them it could be disposed of before the trunks were sent to the steam boat. …….. He said that he would send an officer. Then I said to him, what is considered contraband? His answer was why anything belonging to your husband his clothing for instance, I said I think that is very hard, My husband bought & paid for his clothing. He laughed & said You are unfortunate in having a husband in the Rebel Army, (New just imagine my feelings).

When the day arrived upon which we were to start the Officer came, I pointed to my trunks …. He looked at them & then turned to the table to prepare checks for them. It seemed to me that he was not inclined to examine them, …… He got in the ambulance and was driven to the steamboat, went off amid many tears, for we did not know how long the separation would last. Of course we went by Flag of Truce up the Savannah River for Sister’s Ferry. There we were sent by Confederate Officers and my what pleasure it was for no refugees to see the old familiar uniform, and meet those interested in our welfare. They had made all arrangements for our transportation by wagon train, our destination was Augusta, Ga. We travelled by day and rested at night, I dis remember how long a time we were on the road, but had to ride a long distance for the soil roads were all torn up. ……

When the war ended my husband & brother came to us in Augusta. One morning as I stood in the hall, I noticed a soldier coming up the steps to the Piazza, I looked the second time, and started towards him to see what I could do for him, not until then did I recognize my own brother, Capt. W.D. Dixon, his clothing was so tattered & warn, I did not wait long, but soon had the pleasure of seeing him in good clothing. My husband came a few days later needing clothes, and somehow those trunks that were not examined were responsible for the changes in their appearance. ……After getting back, our men had to have all insignia of office removed & even the brass buttons either taken off the dear old uniforms of grey, or covered. Many of us covered the buttons with black cloth instead of taking them off. Of course we had much to contend against, however tried to overcome it, we had to begin life over again, as everything was lost. To try to tell what indignities we suffered for a long time after the war was over, would be useless as many are well aware of what we had to contend against. I could write much more but will refrain hoping my poor efforts will be accepted. Am very respect. Mary A. Drummond.   

          This account is much longer of course, 14 letter sized pages. I have prepared the transcript. There is a copy of this that was prepared in 1910, and later repaired with thread, etc.

• A friendship album (without covers), containing poetry from friends and family members, including die cuts, old valentines, an early invitation to the May  Festival Ball, dated 1857, and signed by Ned and during their “sparkin” days. Some of the silver colored die cuts, particularly of the one showing the British Parliament came on the wrapper of paper produced in Britain, and so I’m told.  Some brief notes, one pencil sketch of a mounted gent taking his gal from over a stone wall, clip of hair, etc, ..more.  Some damage, some pieces missing.
• A scrapbook I believe belonged to a “Sadie Drummond” (might be a daughter to Ned’s son George. in the 1880s and on, mostly news clippings, die cuts, and trade cards. Spine gone.
• A family autograph album, small pocket type from 1885 to just after the turn of the century. Not researched.
• Albumen of Ina Drummond taken and hand colored by photographer by the name of Dillon, from Washington, D.C.  He put his address down on the image as 1227 Pa. Av. Mounted in gilt oval frame, missing glass. Images shows some wear from being exposed without the glass, wear to gilt on the frame, etc.  Image size, 6 x 8 ”  with overall height of frame being 17 ” approximately.
• Large Silk “IN MEMORIAM” Broadside on silk, made in 1876 during the Yellow Fever epidemic that ravaged Savannah, and claimed the lives of Edward, and three of his children.  13.5 x 20 ” This was folded up over the years and has developed some wear in the folds affecting some of the text, but almost entirely legible. Some light stains in a few spots. Black print on a tan colored (now) silk. The text gives a brief account of the fever, loving descriptions of the departed children and their father. Of Edward it is written, ” Mr. Drummond was born in Winslow, Maine, and came to Savannah during the early part of the year 1854, where he continued to survive during the remainder of his life…..being possessed of superior business qualifications, he rapidly rose in the esteem of those with whom he was associated, until he became a partner in one of the cotton commission houses of Savannah….”  Goes on to mention his military service and more…..  A wonderful tribute.
• Wartime account from a soldier eyewitness written around the turn of the century, recorded by a veteran, and transcribed by either George William Drummond or his son Eugene. “Fighting at Dalton”  (see photo). Both handwritten account and transcript.
• Small lot of National Park Service publications about Fort Pulaski, the earliest has notation by George having visited there, seeing where Ned had his office and quarters, “I was quite a curio to the crowd of visitors when they learned I was the son of Pulaski defenders.” The second one is dated 1940, and belonged to George, next is one dated 1954, and the last 1956. There is another partial brochure.
• 3 cabinet photos of a Dixon- Drummond outing at Fort McAllister, in 1904.  This is were Capt. William Dixon was stationed with the 1st Georgia Infantry after his return from Johnson’s Island. The images are 4×5.5 inches, on gray mounts measuring 8×10″.  Images show group photos, with the eldest in beard being Dixon, one with a huge dug artillery shell on the knee of George. Roger Durham, in his book about Dixon, “The Blues In Gray,” recorded that the last visit to Fort McAllister by Dixon was in 1914, and he passed away shortly after that.   Some of the mounts have corner damage, the images have darkened with age.
• Miscellaneous letters, papers, etc. not in great number relating to various members of the family. Membership cards, etc, from various societies; Colonial Dames of America, Maine Society Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Meeting notice for Daughters of the Confederacy for Mary Drummond, Newspapers with articles relating to UDC, Fort Pulaski, Civil War events, etc.
• Some papers belonging to George, and some personal items.  Letter and application to UDC, a boxed medal given by that organization to veterans of the Spanish American War (George was a member of the Republication Blues, and served during the Spanish American War. A memorable group of illustrated items for a Banquet given to President William Howard Taft, in Savannah on November 4, 1909. The lot consists of the invitation to George, the banquet program and menu, a Taft badge with red,white and blue ribbon, another badge in narrow rw& b ribbon with the seal of the City of Savannah, and the box lid that this material came in.  A military belt plate for he George State Volunteers (GSV in monogram). A 1948 Republican Blues Dinner menu.
• Roger Durham’s books entitled “The Confederate Yankee” signed by the author, and presentation to family members instrumental in supplying him with the journal, and photographs for his book, also another book he did using the journals of Capt. William Dixon, “The Blues In Gray,” which is also a signed presentation to the family. The book about Drummond contains the journal, and many of the photos from the immediate family. There are a few that are missing from the collection that are contained in the book, a few of the children, the Maine homestead.  I have photographed the Durham images as well as the originals. The book about William Dixon, is supportive of the Drummond record, in addition to being family related. The book was issued with a reproduction of William in his wartime uniform, other than the tinted original in the Drummond family cdv album.
• A family book with presentation, entitled, “American Guide Series  SAVANNAH  1937. A nice illustrated work that helped in identifying most of the city images. In very good used condition.
• The George State Library acquired the Dixon material in the 1990s, and were made aware of the Drummond material in the 1960s by Eugene Drummond, the major’s grandson. He had provide copies of the Drummond material to them. That correspondence (copies) are with this collection, and further describe and verify the originality of this collection.

The condition of the Civil War material belonging to Major Drummond, is generally in very good. It is the scrapbooks that show more wear. The photo album that was originally made to hold over one hundred images shows the most wear, by nature of its size, poor handling, and heavy trimming in some instances.

The Drummond home in Savannah caught on fire in the 1950 era, and was removed. Many things were lost, and suffered damage at that time. Fortunately, there still remains enough to tell this important story. Not only about what a family endured during the Civil War, but the disastrous Yellow Fever that claimed most of this young family who perhaps saw their way clear of troubles, and looked to build on a promising future.  It is a great southern story, with a northern twist. A man from Maine, who made a new life for himself in Georgia, and found a second family he cared too much for to desert at a critical time in American history.