Some More On Jordan Noble-- Part 1: Born a Slave, Became a Free Man and Drummer

NPS "The rattle of his drum was heard [even] amidst the din of battle ... in the hottest hell of fire."  Gene Allen Smith, TCU.

During the War of 1812, more than 4,800 slaves fled their masters.  Some became British Colonial Marines.  Jordan Bankston Noble was born a mulatto slave in Augusta, Georgia, in October 1800.  He arrived in New Orleans in 1811.

In 1812, he became the drummer of the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 5: About the Drum and Flag

This drum at auction is believed to have been displayed at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis.  After that, it was at the Louisiana State Museum since 1909.  Neal Auction Company acquired the drum more than a year ago and puts an estimated $200,000 to $250,000 estimated price on it.

Also up for bid is a blue silk flag presented to General Andrew Jackson to celebrate his victory at the Battle of New Orleans.  It is mounted and has a description of Jordan Noble's military service.  At some point in the past it was given to Noble by Jackson.  Cusahs acquired it from Noble's wife.  It is also valued at between $200,000 and $250,000.

--Brock-Perry

Jordan Noble's Life Would Make a Great Movie

Before the auction, I had never heard of this man before, but he was certainly something.

I think this would make a great big-screen movie, perhaps with Morgan Freeman playing the older Jordan Noble.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 2: "Advanced the Cause of Black Freedom and Human Rights"

One music historian, Jerry Brock, said that Jordan Noble "was arguably the most celebrated black musician in 19th century New Orleans and in a life that bridged nine decades, Noble advanced the cause of black freedom and human rights."

On his death in 1890, the Daily Picayune headlines:  "Answered the Last Roll:  Death of the Drumer Boy of Chalmette," and noted "many will remember the white-headed old man and his well-worn drum."

--Brock-Perry

"Old Jordan" The Drummer of Chalmette-- Part 1

From 2009 New Orleans Nostalgia by Ned Hemard.

This is more information on the man whose drum from the Battle of New Orleans was recently auctioned off.

In New Orleans, Jordan Noble was generally called "Old Jordan" and "The Drummer of Chalmette."

Chalmette is another name for the battlefield where the Battle of New Orleans was fought.

He was 14-years-old at the Battle of New Orleans and had enlisted in the 7th U.S. Infantry.

During the Civil War he participated in the organizing of the Native Guards, General Benjamin Butler's 1st Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard.  He was sworn into service on September 27, 1862, the first black soldiers officially mustered into the Union Army.  The 2nd and 3rd Regiments of the group were organized in the next two months.

--Brock-Perry

"Old Jordan" The Drummer of Chalmette-- Part 2

During the course of his life, Jordan Noble served a total of 9 years and 9 months in the U.S. Army in four wars: War of 1812, 2nd Seminole War, Mexican War and Civil War.

Jordan Noble marched proudly in the 1851 annual parade on January 8, marking the anniversary of the battle and carried his old drum.  He led other men of color who had fought in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

It was he who started the tradition of playing the same reveille by his fife and drum corps as were played that day.

In the 1884 at the World's International and Cotton Centennial Exposition in New Orleans, he drum and fife corps again entertained visitors from all over the world.

His drums are on exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo.  Onw was made in Philadelphia c. 1860.

--Brock-Perry

Jordan Noble's Battle of New Orleans Drum At Auction-- Part 3:

Jordan Bankston Noble was a leader in the movement for racial equality in New Orleans.

In 1854, he was a Louisiana delegate for the National Emigration of Colored People held in Cleveland, Ohio.  In 1965, he was on the Committee for the Convention of Colored Men of Louisiana held in New Orleans.

--Brock-Perry

Drum of Jordan Noble Used at Battle of New Orleans At Auction-- Part 1

From the November 21, 2016, WGNO ABC News "Drum used in War of 1812 up for auction."

Jordan Bankston Noble was a slave who became a free man and then became Andrew Jackson's official drummer.  Neal Auction Co. has his original drum used at the Battle of New Orleans and will auction it off December 2nd.

(I have been unable to find out how much it went for, but sure hope a public institution was able to come up with the funds to buy it so it can remain something the public can see.)

I also did more research on Jordan Noble and am surprised I had not heard of him before.  I will be writing more about him.

--Brock-Perry