Music of the Civil War

Usage

• Played to issue marching orders• Played in down time to boost morale or pass

time• Opposing bands would sometimes square off

before an impending battle

• In 1861 it was approved that every regiment of infantry could have a 24 member brass band.

• As the war became more violent many of those spots reserved for band members were swapped out for riflemen, but music remained a large part of the war.

• Music would often be played while a battle or march was in progress.

• It served as cues for when to march forward or fall back.

• Drums were used for soldiers to keep track of the daily schedule and to keep them in line while marching.

Significance

• At Battle of Williamsburg musicians were ordered to start playing. Once they began to play Union forces were rallied and forced the Confederates to withdraw.

• Music was the equivalent of "a thousand men" on one's side.

• "I don't think we could have an army without music.“ – General Robert E. Lee

Songs

• The First Gun is Fired– One of the first original songs for the Civil War– Produced 3 days after the Battle of Fort Sumter

• Nearer, My God, to Thee– Religious, morale booster– The survivors of the disastrous Pickett's Charge

returned under the tune Nearer My God to Thee• John Brown’s Body– Union marching song

Songs• Battle Hymn of the Republic– Patriotic, Union song– Well known song to this day

• I Wish I Was in Dixie– De facto anthem of the Confederacy

• We Are Coming from the Cotton Fields– Southern morale song