Civil War Drummer Robert Hendershot, 8th Michigan

Civil War Drummer Robert Hendershot, 8th Michigan Infantry, CDV, Plus

Lot of 2 CDVs, the first of R.H. Hendershot, "Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock," made famous by his reported exploits during the battle of Fredericksburg at the tender age of thirteen, with printed identification on mount verso but no studio imprint. The young drummer is uniformed in full regalia. Hendershot has been described as a rather self-serving character (deserting once) and with the patronage of George Eastman of New York parlayed his "patriotism" into a mini commercial empire of wartime road shows and drumming exhibitions, selling CDVs like this one. Those who knew him did not like him, but to his credit he must have been a smart, gritty kid.

Accompanied by CDV of two proud looking young boys dressed in full uniform, one holding a drum, the other holding a sword, lightly identified in pencil on mount verso as "Charlie Fenton" (or Benton) and "Charlie Johnson." With backmark of D.H. Spencer, Hudson, MI.
Condition Report: Hendershot CDV: Even toning to CDV. Slight imperfection to print along left edge, near to left corner. Light edge/corner wear to mount. Slight tear to lower right corner of mount verso. CDV of two young boys, light even toning. Minor surface abrasion along top edge where print meets mount.