From the “Lest We Forget Roster” of the 7th Mississippi Infantry
Drummers
There were only two drummers mentioned in the F&S rosters:
1. Freeman, Hal [3rd Drummer, F&S 7th Mississippi] No company listed (This man: Freeman, William H. Co. A WIA Shiloh & Atlanta 7-22-64, in hospital 8-64 roll, surr. NC.) possibly, Hal Freeman, from Co. A, Franklin County fits the profile of a man who survived the war and surrendered in NC; however, we do not have proof that his middle name was Hal, his age at enlistment, or if he was a drummer. We do know that this Hal Freeman was 3rd Drummer and the likelihood that they are the same man is high; they are least likely to be related. Hal Freeman was listed as a drummer at Shieldsboro; company unknown [possibly Company A, E, K if he was related to the Freeman men from Franklin County and Amite who were in companies A and K since all were from Franklin County, and one man from Company C from Amite County. [See William H. Freeman, Co. A]
2. [B. F. Herrington, Drummer (F&S-7th Mississippi)] Harrington, B. F. Co. F. 1st drummer at Shieldsboro, Sept. 1861 The one drummer listed from Co. F is B. F. Herrington or Harrington. Co. F was from Marion County, but we have no information as to his age, or if he surrendered in NC. He does not appear on those rosters at surrender.
3. No man listed as 2nd Drummer (F&S)
4. Whitton, Thomas 28, WIA at Chickamauga and Atlanta; captured at Nashville, TN. [See T. Whitton captured at Nashville, TN] (See also Whittom), [Family records indicate he was drummer in the 7th Miss. –Earleen Clayton; “His file contains one card showing his rank as "Bass Drum," another card shows he was assigned extra duty as "Drummer," another rank as "Musician." -George Martin]
Drum Major
Carter, R.L. discharged. Dyspepsia of nine months 7-26-62 (Drum Major?)
Musicians
Campbell, Alexander M. Pvt. Co. C Chief musician; discharged; school teacher from Clark County, KY
Caston, Gabriel G. Pvt. Co. C Musician; killed Chickamauga 9.20.1863
Freeman, Francis Marion Pvt. Co. K Musician killed in RR collision (Some records indicate he died in a federal prison, but his records may have been mixed up with James M. or Matt Freeman also from Co. K. All other records indicate that he was killed in the Collision)
Seale, Joseph Pvt. Co. E (F&S) Chief Musician On last Roll Aug-1864
Robertson, Alexander Pvt. Co. K Musician, 16 yrs old. MIA and presumed killed Atlanta 7.22.1864 (See also Alexander Robinson)
Fifers
Boyt, Thomas C. Pvt. Co. B Fifer, WIA Murfreesboro and sent to various hospitals. (Check Boyd/Boyet)
Other men were no doubt musicians by training, but not in the regimental band. We are continuing to review all records to identify other band members.
Cato, John A. Lt. Co. E 7th Miss. "Fiddler"; KIA at Harrisburg, MS July 1864 with the 4th Miss. Cavalry