This is a snare drum from the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment. The plaque on its side tells that it was presented to First Class Musician Peter Hoffman in Alexandria, Virginia, July 15, 1861. It also lists some of the battles Hoffman played the drum at, including the First Battle of Bull Run, Edward's Ferry, Fair Oaks, and the Seven Days Battles. Along with helping troops march together, drums were used to communicate orders to soldiers over the deafening noise of battle.