- Joined
- Aug 8, 2011
- Location
- Gettysburg area
Several posts have mentioned the hazards, besides shot and shell, that threatened dogs who accompanied soldiers in the Civil War. It's doubtful any other dog succumbed to the malady that the men of the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery blamed for their dog's death.
In most cases, the music of regimental bands—like the companionship of pet dogs and mascots—helped to raise soldiers' morale during the Civil War. But that was not the experience of the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. With the band already a subject of criticism, the very public and untimely death of a soldier's dog only served to tarnish the ensemble's reputation further. Frederic Denison, writing the history of the regiment, relates the episode:
The band's woes were not over.
~From "Shot and shell: the Third Rhode Island heavy artillery regiment in the rebellion, 1861-1865. Camps, forts, batteries, garrisons, marches, skirmishes, sieges, battles, and victories; also, the roll of honor and roll of the regiment," published 1879.
In most cases, the music of regimental bands—like the companionship of pet dogs and mascots—helped to raise soldiers' morale during the Civil War. But that was not the experience of the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. With the band already a subject of criticism, the very public and untimely death of a soldier's dog only served to tarnish the ensemble's reputation further. Frederic Denison, writing the history of the regiment, relates the episode:
"Having some ambition for music, we endeavored to maintain a regimental brass band. Many will remember Band-master Marshall. It is said that music hath charms. This was hardly true of the kind we had. But in justice to the members of the band it should be stated that their instruments were of an inferior quality. One evening at dress-parade as the band were beating off down the line, a pet dog belonging in camp appeared in front of the line, and was attacked with convulsions, and almost instantly died. The boy's affirmed that the music of the band killed him."
The band's woes were not over.
"On another occasion, as the band got the order from the Adjutant, "Troop — beat off," they struck and started. Instantly Colonel Brown, with a loud voice, and a peculiar shake of his head denoting displeasure, said, "Adjutant! Stop that band; and have the Band-master report to me at once. Down the line to the front and centre with a Drum-major's salute." The Band-master reported as ordered. The Colonel said, "You have played that tune for six months; if you play it again I will put the whole band in the guard-house." After this we had some variations of music, but no inspiring improvements. Finally, by a general order from the War Department, relating to all the Federal forces, regimental bands were abolished as too expensive and cumbersome for the war we were waging. Whatever bands were retained after this were voluntarily supported by the regiments they served. Our band was mustered out."
~From "Shot and shell: the Third Rhode Island heavy artillery regiment in the rebellion, 1861-1865. Camps, forts, batteries, garrisons, marches, skirmishes, sieges, battles, and victories; also, the roll of honor and roll of the regiment," published 1879.
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