Inaugural Issue - Historic Brass Society

Transcription

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR
CIVIL WAR BRASS MUSIC, INC.
Spring 2008
Volume 1
Issue No. 1
In This Issue.....
Welcome
Mission Statement
President’s Forum
Inaugural Issue
From the Artistic Director
NAC W B M M e m b e r s h i p a n d D o n at i o n
Information
The School of Practice, Governors Island, NY
National Civil War Field Music School
Announcements
2008 National Trumpet Competition
Retrospective 2002-2008
26th NC Regimental Band Travels to Raleigh
Schedule of Upcoming Events June - July 2008
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Why We Do What We Do – “Music in Camp,”
by John Reuben Thompson
The 26th NC Regimental Band at Gettysburg
Recommended Reading
Membership form
Welcome
to the inaugural issue of the
National Association for Civil War Brass Music
newsletter! In this double issue you will find
information about the mission, history, and
leadership of the NACWBM, along with a
calendar of upcoming activities and articles on
bands at the Battle of Chancellorsville and the
Battle of Gettysburg, the Civil War-era School of
the Musician at Governor’s Island, NY, and the
National Civil War Field Music School, its modern
counterpart for re-enactors.
We will also
recognize some recent notable achievements of
our members and musicians and give you an
introduction to the unique historical resources to
soon be found at www.historicbrassmusic.com,
which are only available to NACWBM members.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter. Please feel free
to submit comments and feedback to us along with
ideas for topics you would like to see covered in
future issues, please contact us at
[email protected].
Sharpsburg Heritage Festival
The National Association for Civil War Brass Music Inc, | 124 Maiden Choice Lane Baltimore, MD 21228 | (410) 744-7708
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Our Mission
The mission of the National Association for Civil War
Brass Music, Inc. (NACWBM) is to collect, preserve and
make available for research and performance both the music
and the instruments of American brass bands of the mid-19th
century, particularly military bands and bugles of the
American Civil War, and to present such music in public
performances for the purpose of educating the general public
and furthering public awareness and understanding of this
important part of our American cultural heritage. To these
ends, the NACWBM will:
• Present historically accurate and musically excellent
recreations of Union and Confederate Civil War military
brass bands, featuring professional-caliber musicians and
music historians performing mid-19th century musical
compositions and arrangements on original brass
instruments, wearing historically accurate reproductions of
original military band uniforms of the era;
• Acquire, preserve and catalog music and musical
instruction manuals of the mid-19th century and make them
available for researchers, scholars, and other musicians
interested in this resource;
• Collect, restore and preserve original brass instruments of
the mid-19th century and make them accessible to the public
through live and recorded performances which illustrate the
unique sound and character of these historic instruments;
• Educate musicians seeking to re-create the roles of
bandsmen and field musicians of the Civil War era in the
arena of living history;
• Conduct thorough and scholarly research on Civil War
brass bands, mid-19th century brass music, military music,
brass instruments and related topics and make this
information widely available via the Internet, publication in
articles and books, and public presentations such as concerts,
lectures, and demonstrations.
Board of Directors
Richard Bergren
Michael Bostron
Douglas Hedwig
Joel Hummel
Brian Kanner
Neil Randolph
Michael Vice
Jari Villanueva
Artistic Director
Jari Villanueva
Executive Director
Heather Faust
Historical Advisors
John Bieniarz
Mark Elrod
Newsletter Editor
Heather Faust
Technical
Consultant
Kyle Russell
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PRESIDENT’S FORUM
By way of a very short introduction, I’m Mike Vice, the
President of this new musical organization. I come to this
position by way of having always had a great interest in Civil
War music since starting as a teenage participant in the Civil
War Centennial and having been a cornet and tuba player in
high school and college. This musical interest was further
reinforced with some thirty-odd years as a military museum
director and curator, with my last 10 years in the profession
having been as Chief Museum Curator at Gettysburg National
Military Park, which is one the largest Civil War collections in the country. But little
did I know what I was getting into when approached by Jari Villanueva and Heather
Faust to help form this organization!
It has been a very eventful first year plus for the fledgling National Association
of Civil War Brass Music (NACWBM for short!). We stepped off in Jan 2007 with our
organizational meeting and it has certainly been busy since then! First creation of
Articles of Incorporation, then to Bylaws for the organization including the election of
a Board of Directors which immediately led us to completion of the infamous IRS
1023 so we could apply for 501(c)(3) status as an educational tax exempt, which was
quickly granted to us. No, I don’t think it sounds terribly exciting either. However,
these have been vital steps that were needed to move the organization forward! The
development of NACWBM was very necessary to insure the future growth of The
Federal City Brass Band and the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band on sound
business-like bases, and as a future springboard to promoting greater awareness of the
beauty and musical quality of American Civil War brass band music.
Continued on page 4
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I can’t say thank you enough to the Board members who have contributed so much of their
time, effort, and yes, money to the development of this organization. This small group
consisting of Doug Hedwig, Joel Hummel, Mike Bostron, and Dick Bergren were key to
getting the organization moving along, but the real troopers have been Jari Villanueva and
Heather Faust without whom none of this would have ever come about! Most recently
added to our ranks of Board members we’ve seen Brian Kanner and Neil Randolph step
up to add to the further growth of the organization.
I’m greatly encouraged by how much we’ve been able to accomplish in the past year, and
look forward to many exciting musical programs and educational opportunities to come as
we continue to set the standard in presenting Civil War brass music to the public. If you
need to contact us regarding the NACWBM Board of Directors, please e-mail
[email protected]. And thank you for your membership and your
support.
Mike Vice
From the Artistic Director
Greetings! Being part of this organization is a wonderful extension of my
experiences as a military musician, a professional brass player and a Civil
War re-enactor. Sounding the bugle at many re-enactments, leading The
Federal City Brass Band down the street in Gettysburg during the
Remembrance Day parade, researching and performing the music of the
26th North Carolina Regimental Band, plus working with the many fine
musicians and scholars involved with the NACWBM has brought me
great joy.
I started re-enacting almost 10 years ago and the many friendships I’ve built with those I’ve
met in the process will be everlasting. One of them was the late Don Hubbard who mentored
me and, although not schooled in music, provided me with vast knowledge on the subject of
Civil War field music. His legacy continues on through the National Civil War Field Music
School, which was held June 13-15 at Pamplin Historical Park (See article on page 7).
Continued on page 5
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This past year has been an eventful one. I have recently retired from The United States
Air Force Band where I spent twenty-three years as a ceremonial musician and arranger.
To have served our veterans every day at Arlington National Cemetery has been a great
honor. Sounding the final call at so many ceremonies has brought such fulfillment in my
career. I am fortunate that I will continue serving veterans as I start my new career as
Director of the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard. And as I get settled into the
new routine, I will be able to spend more time doing what I love best: arranging and
editing music for the Federal City Brass and 26th North Carolina Bands and researching
the subject of military bugling.
One of the great resources of the NACWBM, and something which is available only to
our members, is the historic brass music I have acquired from many sources and scanned
into digital format. These resources will be available on the website soon, including
items such as
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Infantry manual extracts of bugle calls from 1829-1850
Music on The March by Frank Rauscher
The Attack and Defense of Little Round Top by O.W. Norton
Hart Instructor for Drum, 1861
Six Marches for Trumpet by J. P. Sousa
The Art of Phrasing by J. P. Arban
The Trumpet in Camp and Battle by Gustav Kobbe
I look forward to working with all our board members as we continue to plan for future
events, and can’t wait for our summer season to start in earnest! This year the 26th NC
Regimental Band will be busy with commemorations marking the 145th Anniversary of
the Battle of Gettysburg, but that’s not all we’re up to, so please check our performance
schedule and we hope to see you at our concerts.
Jari Villanueva
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NACWBM Membership and Donation Information
The National Association for Civil War Brass Music is recognized as a charitable tax-exempt
educational organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. All donations to the
NACWBM are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Please refer to the
membership application form located at the end of this newsletter for more information on
membership levels, benefits, and how to make a donation to the NACWBM. The column
from Artistic Director Jari Villanueva in this newsletter describes some of the exciting
materials that will be available to you through your NACWBM membership. If you have any
questions or would like to make a donation, please e-mail
[email protected] or contact us by phone at (410) 744-7708.
The School of Practice, Governors Island, NY
It was at Governors Island, New York, in the 1850s and
1860s, that the original “School of Practice” was held,
training hundreds of young field musicians who enlisted in
the US Army. From this School of Practice came the idea
of a modern-day Field Music School for re-enactor
musicians. One of the first such programs was the Eastern
Field Music School, established by Jari Villanueva and the
late Don Hubbard in 2001-02. From that initial re-created
school for re-enactor field musicians have come several
others, including the new National Civil War Field Music School, which took place at Pamplin
Historical Park from June 13-15, 2008.
Ten Years in the Ranks - U.S. Army, by Augustus Meyers, was originally published in 1914. Part One of this memoir is Meyers’ account of his time spent at Governors Island when he
first enlisted as a twelve-year old fifer in 1854. Visit www.nationalcivilwarfieldmusicschool.org/
GovernorsIsland.html to read Meyers’ story in his own words.
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National Civil War Field Music School
An absolutely stellar group of music faculty and military staff led
the first session of The National Civil War Field Music School,
which took place at Pamplin Historical Park near Petersburg, VA
the weekend of June 13-15, 2008. The 44 participants who
attended were housed in reproduction winter cabins on the Hart
Farm site at Pamplin, and each received several hours of intensive
musical instruction in small group settings, as well as military drill
specifically geared towards the needs of field musicians. Five full
Civil War-style meals prepared by Pamplin Historical Park staff and
served by School volunteers made the experience complete. Family
and friends attended the closing ceremony on Sunday, June 15 at
1:00 pm to watch participants demonstrate what they learned at the
School.
Dress Parade June 15, 2008
NACWBM Artistic Director Jari Villanueva was Music Director for the School, and music faculty included
bugle instructors Doug Hedwig, George Rabbai, and Chuck Woodhead, fife instructors Tim Ertel, Joe
Korber, and Kara Loyal, and drum instructors Garman Bowers, Jr., David Loyal, Jason Maines, and
Stephen Southard. Jeb Hague served as Drum Major for the School. Military Commander was Doug
Dobbs, assisted by Mike Vice and Stephen Staniforth. Michael Schaffner was the Adjutant. Joel Hummel
was Sgt. Major and also led an authentic Civil War church service on Sunday morning, assisted by the 26th
NC Regimental Band which provided music for the hymns. (Those who decided not to attend the optional
service were treated to a reading of the Articles of War in the military camp.) Other military staff
members included Ron Myzie (Commissary), Jeff Pollock and Les Salisbury (Quartermasters), and
Company Commanders Andrew Dangel, Steve Hane, Denny Rohrbaugh, and Jim Tate. A roster of 25
military and 13 civilian volunteers rounded out the support staff for the event. The 26th NC Band also
participated in dress parades and performed serenades in camp. The band and the infantry volunteers
also provided programs for the Pamplin spectators who braved the hot humid weather on Saturday
afternoon.
Congratulations to Most Improved Bugler Philip Giovannini, Most
Improved Drummer Philip Schwartz, and Most Improved Fifer
Madison Hartke-Weber, each of whom received a special award in
recognition of their efforts (a bugle cord, drum sling, and fife case,
respectively). Outstanding Student for the 2008 School was drum
student Drew Fellows, who received a scholarship to attend the
2009 National Civil War Field Music School.
Information about the 2009 School will be posted later this
summer at www.nationalcivilwarfieldmusicschool.com. Faculty and
staff bios are also posted there, and registration forms are available
from the website as well, along with musical resources to help
participants prepare, and a link to the website for Pamplin
Historical Park, which is a National Historic Landmark and is
located on original battlefield ground. A photo DVD of 275
images from the weekend is also available from a link on the
website, courtesy of military staff member
Steve Hane of MetroAir photography.
Dress Parade June 15, 2008
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Remembering Carlisle Barracks
Musicians from the FCBB/26th NC Regimental Band recently recorded four Civil War-era
selections for a new album entitled Remembering Carlisle Barracks: A Musical and Pictorial
Journey covering the 250-year history of Carlisle Barracks, PA. This CD also features music
performed by the Virginia Grand Military Band, the Montgomery Village Community Band,
the Huntsville (AL) Community Chorus Chamber Chorale, the US Army Band “Pershing’s
Own” and the US Army Chorus. The album will be available from the NACWBM Gift Shop
sometime in July, along with our previous CDs, Pride of the Regiment and Better Than
Rations or Medicine.
Name Our Newsletter
We’re having a contest to name the NACWBM newsletter, so please send your Civil War brass
music-themed suggestions to us at [email protected] by August 1, 2008. Winner
will be announced in the next issue.
Arlington House Oct 2005
Photo by Rob Mesite
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2008 NATIONAL TRUMPET COMPETITION
The NACWBM was proud to participate in the 2008
National Trumpet Competition.
The NTC is held
annually at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and
attracts trumpeters from all across the country to
compete in solo and ensemble categories. This year for
the first time, the NTC Historic Division, which features
performers on natural and baroque trumpet, was
expanded to include a 19th Century category for cornet
and keyed bugle. Four performers were selected for the
National Trumpet Competition 2008
final rounds of competition on Saturday, March 15,
including two members of The Federal City Brass Band, Don Johnson (Raywick, KY) and Jeff
Stockham (Syracuse, NY). After the semi-final round of judging that morning, two finalists were
then selected, Jeff Stockham and Raquel Rodriguez (Topeka, KS).
Each of the finalists was given an opportunity to rehearse their chosen piece with The Federal City
Brass Band, and then to perform it for the final round of their competition, accompanied by The
FCBB with guest conductor Elisa Koehler, NTC adjudicator and professor at Goucher College in
Baltimore, MD. Raquel performed the Concertino in Eb, by Ernst Sachse, on an 1889 Boston Eb
cornet. Jeff performed the Polonaise for Keyed Bugle, by Joseph Küffner, on an 1825 keyed bugle.
It was a real honor for The FCBB to perform with soloists of this caliber, and both did an absolutely
outstanding job. The FCBB also performed several other selections for 19th century brass band, and
enjoyed a terrific performance by Ralph Dudgeon, NTC adjudicator and guest soloist on the keyed
bugle, accompanied by Kelly Kerr-Hackleman, piano.
On Sunday, March 16, NACWBM Executive Director Heather Faust attended the NTC awards
ceremony and was extremely pleased to present 19th Century competition winner Jeff
Stockham with a $250 cash prize and a one-year membership in the NACWBM.
Congratulations, Jeff !
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2002-2008 Retrospective
The NACWBM was incorporated and received non-profit status
from the IRS in 2007, but it actually began in 2002 with the first
ad-hoc performances of what would soon become The Federal
City Brass Band. Since that first reading session at a re-enactment
of the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 2002, we have grown from a
performance roster of about 8 musicians to three times that many,
and our mission has expanded as well, now including the 26th
North Carolina Regimental Band, the National Civil War Field
Music School, and more. Here is a brief list of some of our many
accomplishments over the past six years.
Photo by Rob Gibson, August 2003
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FCBB/26th
The
NC bands have performed for over 100
events, including appearances in 12 states and the District of Columbia
Performances average between 15-25 events each year
The FCBB/26th NC bands have performed a joint concert or Battle of the Bands with five other
CW bands, including the 1st Brigade Band, the 5th Michigan Regiment Band, the 12th NH
Regiment Serenade Band, the Excelsior Cornet Band, and Saxton’s Cornet Band
In addition, individual members of nine Civil War bands have joined us for performances,
including the 4th US Artillery Band (Denver, CO), the 12th NH Regiment Serenade Band, the 28th
PA Regimental Brass Band, the Excelsior Cornet Band (Syracuse, NY), Ft. Point Garrison Brass
Band (CA), Olde Towne Brass (Huntsville, AL), Providence Brigade Band (Providence, RI),
Regimental Volunteer Band of Wisconsin, and the Yankee Brass Band (ME). Individual musicians
from non-Civil War bands such as the Newmont Military Band (VT), and the 89th Regiment
Band, NY Guard have also joined us for events.
While we have members who travel from all over the eastern US to perform with us, as a band we
have also traveled as far west as Campbellsville, KY, as far north as Bennington, VT, and as far
south as New Bern, NC to perform
The smallest complete band we have provided for an event was 6 musicians, while our smallest
official participation in an event was sending 3 members of the FCBB to join the Excelsior Cornet
Band for performances at the NY State Fair in 2003
The largest band of strictly FCBB/26th NC musicians we have provided so far was 18, but our
largest official participation in an event (so far) was 35 musicians who participated in
Remembrance Day 2007, including 15 guests from seven other bands
The NACWBM has compiled a list of approximately 40 bands across the country which
perform Civil War music in one format or another, and has plans to help these groups
network and share information, music, and resources with each other as well as take part
in festivals and other events featuring Civil War brass music.
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26th NC Regimental Band Travels to Raleigh
Last month several members of the 26th NC Regimental Band traveled to Raleigh, NC to take
part in a very unique and special event at the NC Museum of History. For some time now the
26th NC Troops Reactivated, one of the largest re-enactment organizations in the country and
one which includes many descendants of original soldiers on its member rolls, has been in
discussion with the NC MOH and the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond about
bringing the Gettysburg Battle Flag of the 26th NC “home” to rest after an absence of 145 years.
Finally a long term loan was negotiated, and on May 17, 2008, a ceremony was held to formally
receive this special piece of North Carolina history into the collection of the NC MOH.
This battle flag saw action only once, at the Battle of Gettysburg, where it was in the midst of
intense and bloody fighting on the first day of that battle, in which 14 color bearers were shot
down, and finally was carried all the way across the field of Pickett’s Charge and captured
literally at the Wall. One oft-related story describes how the 12th NJ Volunteers who eventually
captured the flag actually held their fire as the two brave young color bearers from the 26th NC
approached the Wall, and reached out hands to assist them over it, saying, “Come on over to this
side of the Lord, boys,” thus taking the boys from NC and their torn and bloodstained colors as
captives.
The 26th NC Regimental Band was
honored to provide music for the
ceremony to welcome this flag back to
NC. Among the participants and
special guests were many descendants of
the original regiment, including
descendants of the flag bearers, of the
two Colonels of the 26th – Burgwyn and
Lane, and also of Sam Mickey, band
leader of the original 26th NC Band.
Thank you to 26th NC Band member
Eric Pfeiffer for sharing some of his
thoughts on being part of this historic
event and what an experience like this
means personally.
Continued on page 12
26th NC Regimental Band with Sam Mickey’s Descendants
May 17,2008
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“I have an allegiance by blood to the CSA. I had at least three relatives on my mother's side that fought with
Mississippi Regiments for the Confederacy. As I take part in our 26th NC events, I feel this allegiance pulling. Our
family does not know the whereabouts of the one CSA family member that was a fatality. Last known sighting,
mortally wounded, sitting on the ground, leaning against a tree. Place? Not certain, I think Vicksburg. The existing,
older genealogy lists him simply as being killed in the civil war. No matter what one may think of the cause of the
Civil War and/or slavery (the North had slaves too), 19th century US was deeply divided. I can only believe that
ALL the participants believed in what they were doing. They were willing to die for their cause. Can we, by a lack of
communication, become that deeply divided again? I cannot imagine facing a brother, son, or, father on the other side of
the line!
The historical importance and reality of the Raleigh event hit home for me. When we re-create the 26th NC Regimental
Brass Band, it is a re-creation of a real piece and time of history. A piece that one can almost reach out and grab! We
all came close to being able to do that at the Raleigh event, by being there and seeing the actual 145 year old battle flag!
The boys of the 26th NC Brass Band felt the draw of a belief in a cause of their nation, yet did not believe in taking
a life............but, they had to do something. It is now our pleasure to become like them and keep their memory and
music alive. I never really thought about actually meeting a relative of Sam Mickey, as we did in Raleigh! Now we
have........WOW! Not to idolize, but, there was an unexplainable feeling when I saw and met Joe Mickey of today.
And he has a brother (who was not there) that looks even more like the 26th's original Sam Mickey!”
Eric Pfeiffer, Port Republic, MD
Eb alto/Bb cornet, 26th NC Regimental Band
Schedule of Upcoming Events June - July 2008
Friday-Sunday, June 27-29
“At High Tide,” 145th Anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, sponsored by the
Western Maryland Heritage Foundation, with all proceeds benefiting the Land Conservancy of
Adams County, PA. The 26th NC Regimental Band will participate. Visit www.wmhf.org/athightide
for more information.
Thursday-Sunday, July 3-6
The 26th NC Regimental Band will join the 26th Regiment, NC Troops for the 145th Anniversary
Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment. Over 12,000 re-enactors are already registered for this event.
Visit www.gettysburgreenactment.com for more information.
Friday, July 18
The NACWBM will present a musical concert and workshop by The FCBB/26th NC Bands for the
“Voices Across Time: Teaching American History Through Song” 9-week summer Institute for
teachers in the humanities. The Institute is sponsored by the Center for American Music at the
University of Pittsburgh, and is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
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The Battle of Chancellorsville
As this is the 145th Anniversary year not only of Gettysburg but also the Battle of Chancellorsville
(April 30-May 6, 1863), this issue will also focus on the participation of bands during that battle.
From the 1906 book entitled History of the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Vol. Infantry by
Charles D. Page, comes the following -
“During the pandemonium caused by the fleeing Eleventh Corps, the attempt to resist it by the Union troops
and the demonstrations of the attacking enemy, the band of the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment, which
was now considered the best in the Army of the Potomac, did its most heroic work. We cannot resist copying
Colonel Frederick L. Hitchcock, who gives a beautiful tribute to this band in his sketch of the One Hundred
and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Regiment entitled “War from Inside.” He says: One of the most heroic
deeds saw done to help stem the fleeing tide of men and restore courage was not the work of a battery, nor
charge of cavalry, but the charge of a band of music! The band of the Fourteenth Connecticut went right
out into that open space between our new line and the rebels with shot and shell crashing all about them,
and played ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ ‘The Red, White and Blue’ and ‘Yankee Doodle,’ and repeated
them fully for twenty minutes. They never played better. Did that require nerve? It was undoubtedly the first
and only band concert ever given under such conditions. Never was American grit more finely illustrated. Its
effect upon the men was magical. Imagine the strains of our grand national hymn, ‘The Star Spangled
Banner,’ suddenly bursting upon your ears out of the horrible pandemonium of panic-born yells, mingled
with the roaring of musketry and crashing of artillery. To what may it be likened? The carol of the birds in
the midst of a thunder-storm? No simile can be adequate. Its strains were clear and thrilling for a moment,
then smothered by that fearful din, an instant later sounding bold and clear again, as if it would fearlessly
emphasize the refrain ‘our flag is still there.’ It was a remarkable circumstance that none of them were
killed. I think one or two of them were slightly wounded by pieces of exploding shells, and one or two of
their instruments carried away scars from that scene.”
This information was provided by historian John F. Bieniarz. John is a founding member of the Federal
City Brass Band/26th NC Regimental Band, and is beloved to our audiences as the personification of Julius
Leinbach, of the original 26th NC Regimental Band. He is currently researching and writing a book on
“Regimental and Brigade Bands from the New England States during the Civil War.”
John further tells us that his own regiment, the 12th New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry (John was the
founder in 2000 of the 12th NHV Serenade Band, who have marched with the FCBB many times in the
annual Remembrance Day parade in Gettysburg), went into Chancellorsville with 528 men and suffered
the greatest loss of any regiment, North or South, at that battle: 250 wounded and 72 killed of 528
engaged. Every officer but one was killed or wounded. The Colonel of the regiment was seriously wounded
and captured. What was left of the regiment was taken off the field by a very junior second lieutenant, and
he was wounded leaving the field. The lieutenant survived, only to be present at Ford's Theatre the night
Lincoln was killed. His name was Maj. Edwin Bedee. He was wounded at Chancellorsville and Cold
Harbor, and mustered out June 21, 1865 as Captain. John actually worked for his great-great-grandson in
Meredith, NH. On Bedee’s tombstone are the three corps insignia and the “12th NHV” in a diamond
shape.
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Why We Do What We Do ......
The following poem by John Reuben Thompson was written to describe an event that took place
near Chancellorsville, VA in the spring of 1863. Other accounts commemorate similar serenades
near Fredericksburg, VA, Murfreesburo, TN, and various other locations where regimental bands
were present. This, I believe, is one reason why we do what we do.
Music in Camp
John Reuben Thompson
(1823-1873)
Two armies covered hill and plain,
Where Rappahannock’s waters
Ran deeply crimsoned with the stain
Of battle’s recent slaughters.
Then all was still, and then the band,
With movement light and tricksy,
Made stream and forest, hill and strand,
Reverberate with “Dixie.”
Blue or Gray, the soldier sees,
As by the wand of fairy,
The cottage ’neath the live-oak trees,
The cabin by the prairie.
The summer clouds lay pitched like tents
In meads of heavenly azure;
And each dread gun of the elements
Slept in its hid embrasure.
The conscious stream with burnished glow
Went proudly o’er its pebbles,
But thrilled throughout its deepest flow
With yelling of the Rebels.
Or cold or warm his native skies
Bend in their beauty o’er him;
Seen through the tear-mist in his eyes,
His loved ones stand before him.
The breeze so softly blew it made
No forest leaf to quiver,
And the smoke of the random cannonade
Rolled slowly from the river.
Again a pause, and then again
The trumpets pealed sonorous,
And “Yankee Doodle” was the strain
To which the shore gave chorus.
As fades the iris after rain
In April’s tearful weather,
The vision vanished, as the strain
And daylight died together.
And now, where circling hills looked down
With cannon grimly planted,
O’er listless camp and silent town
The golden sunset slanted.
The laughing ripple shoreward flew,
To kiss the shining pebbles;
Loud shrieked the swarming Boys in Blue
Defiance to the Rebels.
But memory, waked by music’s art,
Expressed in simplest numbers,
Subdued the sternest Yankee’s heart,
Made light the Rebel’s slumbers.
When on the fervid air there came
A strain – now rich, now tender;
The music seemed itself aflame
With day’s departing splendor.
And yet once more the bugles sang
Above the stormy riot;
No shout upon the evening rang –
There reigned a holy quiet.
And fair the form of music shines,
That bright, celestial creature,
Who still, ’mid war’s embattled lines,
Gave this one touch of Nature.
A Federal band, which, eve and morn,
Played measures brave and nimble,
Had just struck up, with flute and horn
And lively clash of cymbal.
The sad, slow stream its noiseless flood
Poured o’er the glistening pebbles;
All silent now the Yankees stood,
And silent stood the Rebels.
Down flocked the soldiers to the banks,
Till, margined with its pebbles,
One wooded shore was blue with “Yanks,”
And one was gray with “Rebels.”
No unresponsive soul had read
That plaintive note’s appealing,
So deeply “Home, Sweet Home” had stirred
The hidden founts of feeling.
!
PAGE
15
The 26th NC Regimental Band at Gettysburg
“The Twenty-sixth Band was officially classified as noncombatant; yet, during those momentous days of
July 1-3, 1863, its members were no less actively engaged than had they shouldered a rifle or unlimbered
a caisson. In their dual roles as musicians-medics, serving with a regiment that was actively engaged for
two of the three days and lost nearly 90 percent of its personnel, the bandsmen from Salem had their own
story to tell, one that focused on the contributions of one group of musicians during this historic battle.
On the morning of July 1, the band withdrew to its assigned position with the hospital unit.”
From A Johnny Reb Band from Salem, by Harry H. Hall (see Recommended Reading)
“At 10 o’clock the battle began in earnest, raging unabatedly for two hours or more, becoming furious
towards 12 o’clock. From an adjoining hill we could see the smoke of the infantry firing, while the roar of
cannon was almost continuous… As reports from the fight began to come in, our hearts were saddened by
the details, as the 26th and 11th regiments had been in the hottest part of it, and suffered severely… More
than three-fourths of the men were either killed or wounded. Our colors had been shot down 14 times…”
“As our wounded men came in, we helped the surgeons with them until 11 o’clock at night… At 3 o’clock
I got up and resumed the task of doing what I could for the men. While we had been thus engaged, we
were sent for to come to the regiment and play for the men…”
“About 6 o'clock [in the morning, the bands of the 26th and 11th North Carolina regiments] played
together for some time, heavy firing going on meanwhile…. Our playing seemed to do the men good, for they
cheered us lustily…. We learned some time afterwards, from Northern papers, that our playing had been
heard by the enemy, amid the noise of the cannon.”
From the papers of Julius A. Leinbach and Sam Mickey, 26th NC Regimental Band
“When the cannonade was at its height a Confederate band of music between the cemetery and ourselves,
began to play polkas and waltzes, which sounded very curious, accompanied by the hissing and bursting of
shells.”
From the diary of Lt. Col. Arthur Freemantle, Coldstream Guards, observer sent by
Queen Victoria of England
!
PAGE
16
“July 3. We continued to wait on the wounded... About 1 o’clock p.m. Dan [Crouse] and I went to the wagons
for more rations. These were a couple of miles nearer the field of battle than the hospital. While on the way the
firing of cannon was resumed and soon became fearfully furious. The very ground seemed to quiver under our feet
from the awful concussion from the many guns, and the bursting of bombs. This was at the time that the
celebrated charge was made by Pickett’s and Pettigrew’s commands, and was undoubtedly the heaviest and most
terrific artillery firing that had ever been heard on the face of the earth, or perhaps that ever will be…”
“…the gallant old 26th had sixty-seven privates and three officers present on the night of July 3, out of the eight
hundred who went into battle on the morning of July 1...”
From the papers of Julius A. Leinbach, 26th NC Regimental Band
Above quotes from 26th NC Regimental Band
musicians Julius A. Leinbach & Sam Mickey
excerpted from A Johnny Reb Band from
Salem, by Harry H. Hall.
Recommended Reading
A Johnny Reb Band from Salem: The Pride
of Tarheelia, by Harry Hall (available from
the NACWBM Gift Shop for $15.00)
26th NC Regimental Band Recreated
Of all the events in North Carolina’s long history, perhaps none continues to evoke as much
interest as the Civil War. A Johnny Reb Band from Salem focuses on the important role of
musicians who, through their special talent, raised the spirits of fellow soldiers and brought
hope to the Confederate cause. In this entertaining work, Harry H. Hall explores the history
of the Twenty-sixth Regimental Band, North Carolina Troops, C. S. A., which was composed
of Moravian musicians from Salem, North Carolina, and traces the band’s Confederate
service for a little more than three years, including their participation in the Battles of New
Bern, Malvern Hill, and Gettysburg.
Harry H. Hall, a native of Dothan, Alabama, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill and earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. A five-year
veteran of World War II, he was a trombonist/arranger in various service bands. From the late 1950s through
the early 1990s Hall served as music consultant for the Moravian Music Foundation in Winston-Salem.
!
PAGE
17
Covered With Glory: The 26th North Carolina Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg,
by Rod Gragg
From Publishers Weekly
On July 1, 1863, the 26th North Carolina Infantry marched toward Gettysburg with a
strength of 843 officers and troops. Two days later, the regiment could muster only 156
soldiers - a staggering loss of 81.5%, perhaps the highest casualty rate of any Civil War
regiment, North or South. Gettysburg is one of the most written-about battles in history,
but Gragg (Confederate Goliath, etc.) has mined a host of primary sources for this
engrossing study and paints a detailed, vivid picture of the destruction of one of Robert
E. Lee's largest units. Following a brief history of the 26th, Gragg follows the Tarheels
north from Fredericksburg into Pennsylvania, then moves with the regiment to Herr's
Ridge west of Gettysburg. From this vantage point, 21-year-old Colonel Henry K.
Burgwyn Jr. led his superbly trained unit into the teeth of enemy fire from two Union
Iron Brigade regiments. Although the 26th forced the Yankees back, Burgwyn was killed
and the regiment was decimated as bearer after bearer of the unit's flag went down like
chaff. After resting on July 2, the regiment took part in Pickett's Charge. Gragg's prose is
at its best as he describes the time it took for the gray-clad battle line to cross the mile
from Seminary Ridge to the Federal line on Cemetery Ridge, suffering casualties all the
while. This exemplary book puts a human face on the 26th North Carolina's tragic loss at
Gettysburg and is one of the most original titles on the battle to appear in the past few
years. Maps not seen by PW. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or
unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Award-winning historian Gragg offers yet another Civil War title (see, e.g., The Civil War,
1861-1865). The 26th North Carolina saw action early in the war at New Bern and
Malvern Hill. On the first day at Gettysburg, it fought against the 24th Michigan in
McPherson's Woods. On the third and final day, it participated in the infamous Pickett's
Charge and suffered an 85 percent casualty rate, the highest of any regiment in the Civil
War. Besides recounting the enormous loss of life and the heroic deeds of many men,
Gragg reveals the human side of battle. Family diaries and letters describe the difficulties
most soldiers faced in coping with military life. The author uses an impressive list of other
books and historical sources. What emerges is a detailed but readable history of a
regiment whose sacrifices and exploits merit studying. Recommended for its scholarship
and depth of coverage to all academic and large public libraries and to special collections.
David Alperstein, Queens Borough P.L., Jamaica, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
!
PAGE
18
NACWBM Membership Information
NACWBM membership dues are payable on an annual basis, based on a calendar year of JanuaryDecember, and are not pro-rated for partial years (exceptions may be made for new members joining in
the last quarter of the year). Multi-year membership discounts are also available. The NACWBM is a
501(c)(3) charitable tax- exempt organization and membership dues are tax-deductible to the full extent
allowed by law.
•$35-$99 Bandsman •$25 Student membership in NACWBM with same benefits as Bandsman
level
Drummer Boy
NACWBM quarterly newsletter (available electronically), access to
all items on HistoricBrassMusic.com, free gift with NACWBM
imprint
•$100-$249 Bugler
All the benefits of Bandsman membership plus a free CD recording
•$250-$499 Soloist
All the benefits of Bugler membership plus a 15% discount on all
items in the NACWBM Gift Shop
•$500-$999Drum Major
All the benefits of Soloist membership plus a high-quality apparel
item with embroidered logo and donor listing in all programs
•$1000-$2499 Principal Musician All the benefits of Drum Major membership plus a
lunch for two with the Artistic Director
•$2500 or more Band Leader
All the benefits of Principal Musician plus the opportunity to
participate in the National Civil War Field Music School - no
experience required; uniform and instrument provided if necessary
Additional donations are accepted, and opportunities to sponsor specific performances, recordings,
festivals, acquisition of instruments, etc. are also possible. If you have an interest in individual or
corporate sponsorship of NACWBM activities, please contact Executive Director Heather Faust.
!
PAGE
19
Quarterly Newsletter
The NACWBM newsletter is available to members only and will be published in electronic
format four times a year (three times in 2008). Newsletter features will include calendars of
upcoming performances and other events, reviews of performances, events, or recordings,
excerpts from letters, diaries, or other original sources, articles by NACWBM historians and
members relating to their research, photos, information about the materials available on
HistoricBrassMusic.com, background on the instruments and music played by The FCBB/
26th NC bands, and more.
HistoricBrassMusic.com Subscriptions
Beginning in the summer of 2008, the NACWBM will make facsimile reprints of original
19th century music and instruction manuals available for purchase at
www.HistoricBrassMusic.com. Materials are in PDF format, and include brass band music,
both single arrangements and collections, solo repertoire for cornet and other instruments,
manuals and instruction books, fife and drum manuals, bugle
manuals and calls, and various books, articles, and treatises.
HistoricBrassMusic.com purchases and subscription fees are not
tax-deductible.
Acquisition of original instruments and music
The NACWBM accepts donations of original Civil War-era
brass and percussion instruments, historic music, and other
related items that are in keeping with the NACWBM mission. If
Photo by Mark Chalabala
you or someone you know is considering donating a historical
musical instrument or a collection, please contact Executive Director Heather Faust. The
NACWBM may also be interested in purchasing instruments that are for sale.
Become a member today!
To join the NACWBM at any membership level, make an additional donation, or subscribe to
HistoricBrassMusic.com, please fill out the form below and return to The National Association
for Civil War Brass Music, Inc., 124 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228. Make
checks payable to The National Association for Civil War Brass Music, Inc.
!
PAGE
20
124 Maiden Choice Lane Baltimore, MD 21228
NACWBM Membership Application
(please print clearly)
Name _______________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip _______________________________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________________________________
E-mail _______________________________________________________________
___ Bandsman $35-$99 (membership dues are tax deductible)
___ Drummer Boy $25
(student membership – please list school and grade)
___ Bugler $100-$249
(membership dues are tax deductible)
___ Soloist $259-$499
(membership dues are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law)
___ Drum Major $500-$999 ___ Principal Musician $1000-$2499 (membership dues are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law)
___ Band Leader $2500 or more
Spring 2008
Volume 1
B&O Railroad Museum Baltimore
FROM:
National Association for Civil War Brass Music, Inc.
124 Maiden Choice Lane
Baltimore, MD 21228
MAIL TO:
May 2005
Issue No. 1
Photo by Rob Mesite

Inaugural Issue - Historic Brass Society

Transcription

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