This English drum was captured at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The drum is painted deep red with traces of an earlier finish. The front face has the initials "L.S." in shadowed script within a laurel wreath as well as later decoration (circa 1802-1812) of fouled-anchor arms of Rhode Island in gilt, with arms of the United States and motto INDEPENDENCE / BE YOUR BOAST, EVER MINDFUL / WHAT IT COST. Signed below right side of shield: "S. Brown Pain,t ProvidencE". The ropes and repairs on the drum date from the U.S. Civil War era. A silver plaque affixed to side of drum dates from circa 1890 and reads:

This British Drum was captured at Bunker Hill, and assigned by lot to Levi Smith, a Drummer in the Continental Army, Descended to his son, Israel Smith, a soldier of the War of 1812. Descended to his son, Israel Smith, leader of the Band of the 33d Mass. Infantry,- the Headquarters Band which marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea in 1864,- and presented by him to R.A. Pierce, Post No. 190 Dept. of Mass. G.A.R. in 1898.