Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1909 — Base Drum Head Used for Roster of Company. [ARTICLE]

Base Drum Head Used for Roster of Company.

Monon News: Jas. P. Gwin is in possession of very interesting relic of the Mexican war, which he came across a few days ago while looking over some old papers. It is a roster of Co. I, Lanesville Legion of the 2nd regiment of Indiana volunteers and was made at the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, Feb. 22, 1837. Among the officers enrolled are those of Sargeant J. J. Gwin, father of Jas. P., and Corporal G. H. Gwin, an uncle. At the bottom of the roster is the statement that the company left New Albany for Mexico July 12, 1846. The "killed,” "discharged” and “died” are also noted. The captain of this company was C. Gresham, father of the late Judge Walter Q. Gresham. The parchment on which the names appear has peculiar historic interest. While the battle of Buena Vista was in progress a bombshell exploded destroying a bass drum, and from the head of this instrument, the material was furnished for the company roster. An expert penman must have prepared it, as the lettering is almost as perfect as if printed from type. The document is in an excellent state of preservation and has no doubt outlived a large majority of those whose names it containes.