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We do not have a precise number for the Confederate bands that accompanied the Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania. What we do know is that each brigade in Rodes’ division had a band during a review that took place on May 29, 1863; 17 bands participated in a review of the Third Corps on September 11, 1863; and 47 bands surrendered at Appomattox. Based on those numbers, perhaps 40 or so bands accompanied the army to Gettysburg, or approximately one for each infantry brigade (like the Union army). There were some exceptions: Pettigrew’s brigade had two bands, and Robertson’s brigade possibly had more than one band. General Robert E. Lee evidently was an enthusiastic supporter of music for his army.
During the journey northward, the bands were often called upon to play as the soldiers marched through significant towns, lifting pride and morale. Nearing the battlefield, they would usually disperse to assist the Medical Department in some capacity. However, on a few occasions their music was heard upon the field: a band of Rodes’ division struck up a “soul-stirring strain” on the late afternoon of July 1 (according to John Warwick Daniel of Early’s staff); the 26th North Carolina band was ordered to reassemble on July 2 to help alleviate demoralization within the ranks; and an unidentified band even played as the July 3 attack got underway.
Some regiments, like the 15th Alabama, established a drum corps in lieu of a band when working brass instruments became scarcer over time. At this stage of the war, bands usually consisted of a dozen or fewer members, under the direction of a band leader bearing the title of Chief Musician.
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Band of G. T. Anderson’s brigade. During the night march on July 1, one soldier recalled that “to drive drowsiness and weariness away our splendid brass band sent forth the stirring strains of martial airs ...” (Confederate Union (newspaper), Milledgeville, Georgia, August 11, 1863, “G,” 9th Georgia)
Band of the 4th Texas. Passing through Greencastle, Pennsylvania on the morning of June 27, Dan Collins’ band was out in front, playing “Dixie.” Collins was also chief bugler, and he woke the men with some crisp notes on the morning of July 1. Harold Simpson implies there was more than one band in the brigade: “The regimental bands of the Texas Brigade, which had forded the Potomac prior to the infantry, dumped the water from their horns and greeted their messmates with some stirring martial airs ...” (Harold B. Simpson, Waco and McLennan County in Hood’s Texas Brigade; J. B. Polley, Letters to Charming Nellie, 4 TX)
Band of the 7th Virginia. Sergeant George P. Clarke of Company I recorded that when the brigade was marching through Williamsport, Maryland on June 25, “our band played Dixie.” Chief Musician Richard Hughes along with 12 other musicians appear on the regimental rolls as being present at Gettysburg. Hughes was a native of England and taught music and dancing in New Market, Virginia before the war. (Diary of George P. Clarke, Virginia State Library and Archives, Richmond; Nothing But Glory, by Kathy Georg Harrison and John W. Busey; Confederate Veteran magazine, vol. 22, p. 574)
Band of the 4th Georgia. Formed from the Americus Brass Band. On the morning of June 30, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the band of the 4th Georgia was directed to play for the men. Private Charles D. Grace recalled, “The music had a most exhilarating effect, and off the men marched, inspired by the presence of generals and the strains of ‘Tom, March On’ by the band. I never saw anything so magical in its effect.” In late August, Captain Robert E. Park of the 12th Alabama noted in his diary that Cullen Battle was serenaded by “a brass band from Doles’ Georgia brigade,” upon Battle’s promotion to Brigadier General. At the outset of the war the band had 13 members, with four cornets, two alto horns, two tenor horns, one baritone horn, one bass, one snare drum, one bass drum and a pair of cymbals. (C. D. Grace, Rodes’ Division, Confederate Veteran magazine, vol. 5; Diary of Robert Emory Park, Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 26; Voices from Company D, 5 AL; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc798486/m2/1/high_res_d/1002715393-Ferguson.pdf)
Band of the 4th North Carolina. At Carlisle, Pennsylvania, band members occupied a barn belonging to one of the local citizens. R. E. “Bob” Patterson amused himself by chasing after a chicken. He asked Charles “Charlie” Heyer to head it off. The chicken ran around the barn into a hog house, where Bob and a hog contested passage through the door. The band was formed initially by four members of a band from Salisbury, North Carolina, including Edward B. Neave. At one time the band had grown to 18 members, led by Neave. It served as litter bearers for the regiment’s assistant surgeon at Seven Pines and that same year played “Hail to the Chief” for Gen. Joe Johnston. Later in the war it played in Weir’s Cave. The band obtained furloughs twice during the war, once for 18 days and the other for 20 days, which included concerts given in Salisbury and at Statesville. James Columbus Steele of Company C began serving in the band on September 4, 1861, and he was still with the band when he was paroled at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. It’s not clear if he was present at Gettysburg, but during a fight Steele served as either a courier or litter bearer. (Sketches of the Civil War, 4th North Carolina; Dictionary of North Carolina Biography)
Band of Iverson’s Brigade. Although not specifically mentioned at Gettysburg, the band was in existence as of May 29, 1863, according to Samuel Pickens of the 5th Alabama, who described a division review held that day for General Lee: “Had bands music at head each brig. wh. played occasionally. Brass one in Iverson’s played very good music.” Incidentally, on July 7, Pickens wrote of an unidentified brass band on the side of the road near Hagerstown playing “Dixie” and “Maryland, My Maryland,” which “had the effect of enlivening and cheering us up very much.” (Voices from Company D, 5 AL)
Band of Smith’s brigade. Upon entering York, Pennsylvania on June 28, Brig. Gen. (and politician) William Smith told his aide/son Fred to “go back and look up those tooting fellows,” as he called his brigade band. They soon came up, their brass instruments looking bright, and played “Dixie” before “Yankee Doodle,” as requested by Smith. (Robert Stiles, Four Years Under Marse Robert)
Band of the 6th North Carolina. On June 11, Private Bartlett Yancey Malone scrawled in his diary: “we started about sun up and about 9 o’clock we got to a littel town called Woodwin [Woodville] and whilst we was a passen threw the 6th N.C. brass ban plaid the Bonnie Blew Flag.” (Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, H/6 NC)
Band of the 48th Virginia Infantry. In March 1862, members of the Valley Brass Band of Newton, Virginia enlisted as a group in the 48th Virginia, and they remained together until the end of the war. Although I can find no specific mention of their activities at Gettysburg, Hiram Edward “Hiley” Hatfield was a member and referred to the band in an August 12, 1863 letter from their camp near Orange, Virginia. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc798486/m2/1/high_res_d/1002715393-Ferguson.pdf; 12 August 1863 letter of Hiram E. Hatfield to sister, Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia; Confederate Veteran magazine, vol. 31 (1923), p. 226)
Band of the 10th Virginia. It was the only regiment in the brigade with a band, but some Federal instruments captured during the Gettysburg campaign were afterwards used to form a band in the 3rd North Carolina. The June 29 morning report of the 10th Virginia indicates 11 musicians were present – five from Company A, two from F and four from G. They included Calvin M. Borum (A), James O. A. Clary (G), John W. Clary (G), Jacob Elick (F) and Chief Musician Charles Eshman (G). (McHenry Howard, Recollections of a Maryland Confederate Soldier and Staff Officer; 29 June 1863 Morning Report, 10th Virginia; Compiled Service Records)
Band of the 5th Virginia/also known as the Stonewall Brigade Band. The band performed musical and hospital activities. Several musicians from the 5th were identified as being present at Gettysburg: James A. Armentrout, John M. Carroll, Alexander Grove, Charles E. Haines, David E. Strasburg and Robert A. Wilson. William H. Foley was detailed to the band on August 1, 1863. Band instruments were transported in a dedicated two-horse ambulance. (Compiled Service Records; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc798486/m2/1/high_res_d/1002715393-Ferguson.pdf)
Band of the 33rd North Carolina. Also known as the Lane Band. Musician Oliver J. Lehman from Company I was present at Gettysburg; he also composed music. A flugelhorn he played from 1863 to 1865 is displayed in the Museum of North Carolina History. Lehman later wrote that during a battle the band conveyed the wounded to field hospitals, and cared for them. A drum from the band was recently highlighted in Civil War News; it was captured later in the war by a soldier of the 48th Pennsylvania. (Michael Pikunas, Tale of Two Eagles, Civil War News, October 2019, pp. 28-29, citing Reminiscences of O. J. Lehman; Compiled Service Records of O. J. Lehman; https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/session-2-soldiers-life)
Band of Scales’ Brigade. On June 24, Brig. Gen. Alfred M. Scales arrived and assumed command of the brigade. That night the band serenaded him. (38th North Carolina, Supplement to the Official Report)
Band of the 14th South Carolina. Upon returning from Gettysburg to a camp established at Orange Court House, Virginia, Col. John N. Brown had his brass band, reputed to be one of the finest in the army, play for perhaps an hour. In the audience were several colonels and one or two generals with their wives. Chief Musician Charles Siegel played and arranged music for the band. (A Colonel at Gettysburg and Spotsylvania, Col. John N. Brown, 14 SC)
Band of the 16th Mississippi. One of the best bands in the army, according to the respected band of the 26th North Carolina, it was led by Chief Musician William Henry Hartwell, who was present at Gettysburg. Hartwell could play any instrument, and his musical arrangements were popular among military bands. Sergeant James J. Kirkpatrick of Company C recalled how well the bands played as they passed through Charlestown, (West) Virginia on June 23, and also in Chambersburg on June 27. Private Frank Foote of the 48th Mississippi recalled a lively piece known as “Dixie Doodle” that was played during the retreat. The band was one of those that participated in the review of A. P. Hill’s corps on September 11. (Compiled Service Record of William H. Hartwell; Diary of James J. Kirkpatrick; Frank Foote, Marching in Clover)
Band/Drum Corps of the Florida brigade. On July 22, back in Virginia, the band played for religious services. A number of musicians were present during the battle: Newton P. Bassett (G/2 FL), W. J. Bell (D/2 FL), Philip J. Bennett (H/2 FL), David W. Core (M/2 FL), E. C. C. Curtis (A/2 FL), John M. Fagett (G/5 FL), Jesse R. Griffin (B/8 FL), Joseph R. Joyner (K/5 FL), John C. Paine (H/2 FL), Adolphus A. Ross (B/5 FL) and John F. Stewart (G/2 FL). (James Nixon letters, B/8 FL; Compiled Service Records)
Band of the 11th Mississippi. Upon crossing the Potomac into Maryland, Private Gabriel N. “Gabe” Smither of the Lamar Rifles (Company G) called out to the leader of the band, “Stewart, by blood, play Dixie.” It was followed be the rebel yell. William W. Stewart was Chief Musician. Another member of the band who was present was Robert H. Hicks, detailed from Company K. (William A. Love, Mississippi at Gettysburg, Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, ed. by Franklin L. Riley, no. 9, Oxford, MS: 1906, p. 50; Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi; Compiled Service Records of Stewart and Hicks.)
Band of the 11th North Carolina. Formerly known as the Fayetteville Brass Band, they occasionally performed together with the band of the 26th North Carolina, although complaints were voiced that they did not perform up to the latter’s standards. Three musicians of the 11th were captured at Greencastle, Pennsylvania on the retreat, probably with the wagon train, all from Company I: William A. Cline, Adolphus S. Coon and Charles Motz. (My Dearest Friend, 11 NC; North Carolina Troops, vol. V; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc798486/m2/1/high_res_d/1002715393-Ferguson.pdf)
Band of the 26th North Carolina. The band is one of the most famous and best documented in the army. Formed from the Salem Brass Band in the Moravian colony of Salem, North Carolina, its earliest roots trace back to 1786. It was led by Samuel T. Mickey, who played an E-flat small saxhorn that he called a cornet. J. E. Leinbach, who played an E-flat tuba, detailed the band’s activities at Gettysburg. The musicians, less than a dozen altogether, were initially ordered to remain with the wagons to guard the haversacks of those engaged and to await the wounded. They assisted the surgeons throughout the night on July 1, but the next day they were directed by the brigade commander, Col. James K. Marshall, to play for the battered survivors. A protest was lodged that they were needed in the hospitals, but it was overruled. The weary musicians played under an artillery fire and were “cheered lustily.” They returned to the hospitals after dark, having stopped by the wagons to collect cooked food for the wounded. On July 4 they helped load the wagons with the less dangerously wounded for the return to Virginia. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc798486/m2/1/high_res_d/1002715393-Ferguson.pdf; A Johnny Reb Band from Salem, by Henry H. Hall, p. 47; North Carolina Troops, ed. By Walter Clark, 26th Regiment)
Other sources:
-Arthur Fremantle, Three Months in the Southern States.
-Reminiscences, James Hodges Walker, 9 VA: “marched off to the attack [July 3], a band on the extreme right was playing and continued to play until infantry fire drowned them out.”
-William C. Oates, 15 AL, The War Between the Union and the Confederacy.
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