Bagpipe and Drum Corps?

[MattlMaier89]

This is a topic which has some interest to me as I happen to play the highland bagpipes. I know at least one "Scottish" regiment served on the Union side during the Civil War, the 79th New York Volunteer Infantry. They wore kilts on parade, tartan trews into battle and many other things, but what I wonder is this. Fife and drum corps were ubiquitous in both armies. Did any regiments ever field pipe and drum corps to provide their marching music?

 

[major bill]

There were several "Scottish" militia units at the start of the Civil War, but I do not know of any that had any that had bands with bagpipes. Perhaps someone else might come up with some.

 

[Legion Para]

I have not studied the 79th New York in depth and I don't know how accurate the following information is.

http://www.celtboy.org

"This is "Kilted Warriors"!
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The music associated with the 79th New York Volunteer Infantry was unique. It encompassed a range broader than most units that served during the Civil War. There were over 50 men on the 79th muster rolls who served
as musicians of some form or another. There were the usual "field musicians": fifers, drummers and buglers that performed the daily regimental and company duty calls, signals and cadence on the march. These young men, generally under the age of eighteen, learned their instruments by rote or were trained at "Schools of Instruction" such as Governor's Island in New York Harbor.

There was also a "regimental band" complete with the saxhorn ensemble that were so popular by the mid - 1800's. The 79th boasted a 17- member brass band under the leadership of Lt. Wm. Robertson. Until July 1862, when General Order 91 called for the mustering out of regimental bandsmen, concerts, parades and other musical events provided a needed morale boost and a respite from the business of war. This brass band made at least one more appearance when, in July 1865, the final companies of the 79th were mustered out from war service, escorted by "Robertson's full band."

Whether on the muster rolls as musicians or as regular soldiers, the men of the 79th would also entertain themselves by singing and performing on any variety of handy instruments. Lively folk pieces, mournful ballads and a saucy song or two was heard in camp and around an evening fire.

Undoubtedly, the most unique aspect of music in the 79th New York Infantry was an addition of at least 4 highland bagpipers! It has been documented that the New York Caledonian Club provided these pipers during many of the 79th regimental parades and other military functions. A stereocard in the McAfee collection features the 79th, as militia, marching by company front at a Fourth of July parade, (Tryon Row, NYC), in 1860. Clearly, one can see a brass band at the front of the unit followed by 4 pipers! Although there is, of yet, no evidence to link the pipers with the official muster rolls, their association with the 79th New York Infantry plays an important part in "Kilted Warriors".

Authors note: Please know that "Kilted Warriors" is a compilation of music from a particular time period, showcasing Celtic traditions as they became part of the American landscape. To date, research has revealed pipers accompanying the "Highlanders" at parades in New York & Philadelphia as they made their way to Washington, D.C. at the start of North/South hostilities, (May, 1861 editions of the New York Herald & Philadelphia Inquirer). Although there is a known association between the New York Caledonian Club's highland bagpipers and the 79th New York when it was a state militia organization, there is no record of pipers following the 79th into battle or campaign."

 

[Tom Elmore]

I count 3 Confederate and 15 Union drum corps mentions within my primary source materials, but alas, nothing regarding bagpipes. The 40th New York (Mozart Drum Corps) counted 30 drummers, 5 fifers, 10 buglers and a drum major as of late September 1863. The drum corps of the 44th New York at one time consisted of 20 drummers and 5 fifers.