Joseph Wells 15 year old Drummer 32nd Iowa Co. B
May I call you Joseph?
Just call me Little Joe or just Jose
Jose what is your real name?
Tanner Creery
What do you do in real life?
Practice drumming and go to school in North Fayette Middle School in Fayette, IA
How long have you been reenacting?
After Keokuk about a year.
Jose, what is your role in the unit?
I drum the orders and cadence for the unit.
What is the history behind your persona?
Company D 18th Iowa Infantry died in Louisiana of dysentery while he was fighting. He was my great, great, great, great grandfather.
Why did you pick this role to portray?
I was too, young to carry a rifle with the infantry so I decided to be a drummer instead.
Do you like this portrayal?
Yes, I like it very much.
Do you think you will quit drumming when you get old enough to carry a rifle?
Maybe, or maybe I will continue to drum when we have enough me to take the field. We don't have any other drummers and I really like what I am doing.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
I learned to drum at the age of 11. I had to get a musician's uniform with the blue trim (has the uniform on), a period drum and sticks, I had to learn the special cadences for the orders.
Do you really drum out orders?
Yes, Each cadence means something different. I can tell them (the men) to march, forward and retreat, commence and cease firing, fire by the piece or fire at will. Just all different things.
Where did you find your equipment?
We found it in Oregon. The first drum I had we accidentally got a Revolutionary War Drum,
so we exchanged it for this one.
How does this drum differ from the drums of the 21st century?
This drum is made of mostly wood. It is painted red with the eagle emblem on it and says Reg. US Infantry. It has a single line braided rope that also forms a strap so you can carry it
on your back when you are not drumming. To tighten the head there are leather adjusters with brass brads on hemp rope lines. [The 21st century drums have metal screws with wing nut tighteners.]
That is very interesting Joe. What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Claremont or Usher's Ferry because they are really close to history as living history events. Usher's Ferry is in a 1860's town. And Claremont you are really close to the roots of reenacting, doing things they would have really done.
Claremont is a period correct encampment style living history.
yep, and it also gets me closer to my ancestor Jose Wells.
