Field Musicians of the Civil War






The daily repetoire of music had to be approved by the Drum Major, who in turn had to have it approved by the commander. The appointed hour of Reveille and other duties, as well as whether or not the band should accompany the men onto the field of battle came from him. Pretty much all major decisions regarding the band came from him. If the band was not to take the field, it was attached to the ambulance corps to assist with the hospital, and several bandsmen would be assigned as couriers for the adjutant.

Several bands took the field, serving as a great morale booster to the men. At the Battle of Williamsburg, a retreat was beat from a Federal unit, and some of General Heintzelman's men, believing the order was for them, began to make a hasty skedaddle. He drew his sword, waved it above his head, ordering the men to halt. He caught eye of a band nearby, and shouted, "Halt there! Halt! Give us Yankee Doddle, or some other - doodle!"
The fluid daily operation of the army depended on the musician. They were looked highly upon by their comrades, and because of this, were paid more. The average bandsman was paid $17 per month. Most were teenagers who were too young to shoulder a rifle, but photographs show that many older men too filled the ranks of the field music, though older men were the main contingent for the brass bands. The young drummer boys so glamorized and romanticized in song - Johnny Clem, Gustav Schurman - were rarities, and musical prodigies. Although the terms "band" and "music" are commonly associated with the field music, they were usually the terms used to identify the brass band. "Drum corps" or "field music" was oftimes used to designate the fifes and drums, but each is interchangable.




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