Confederate Cavalry flute restoration

[Jon_sparky]

Hello,
I restore antique flutes, I came across a couple from the Civil war, and thought you all would like to see them! I have had Union flutes in the past, I will post them at a later date, but today is special!

Today is the likely anniversary of the passing of Sargent Major Alexander Young of the Confederate First Cavalry of Maryland. He was the last of 27 young men to die in a battle Of Tetopotomoy Creek near Hanvortown Virginia on May 27th, 1864. The Confederate army led by General Robert e. Lee used his Cavalry in a failed attempt to ambush The Union army led by General Grant.

Sargent Young came from a rich family in the south and was educated in a private school, no doubt he was well versed in science and music. Besides the two lovely flutes, was also a signed copy of a book on planetary bodies.

He left behind a couple of very nice flutes!
May he Rest In Peace.

 

[Jon_sparky]

BTW The flute is made by John Pfaff from Philadelphia, USA one of my favorite makers! The flute is in great playing condition now, and I plan on having a formal ceremony this evening in the Sargent Major's honor, and play him a tune or two, I think he would like that. I make all my relics playable, I believe that a musical instrument should continue to be played and not sit ideal in a glass case. I currently have around 60 flutes from around the world and two other Confederate flutes in my shop awaiting restoration, both from the same auction. One peculiar thing that tied two of them together, even though the flutes were made 30 years apart, they both had a hole drilled in the upper tenon, this was only done to these two flutes, so led me to believe they were from the same group of soldiers. The other flute was made by Meacham & Co. Back in 1828, so was someone's treasure in the military for years.
Also pictured is a field replacement part made for the Pfaff flute out of Maple wood, I replaced it with the original Cocuswood, in the makers original design. Besides that the rest of the flute is original.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. May the music be with you

 

[major bill]

This is a nice looking flute.

 

[Patrick H]

I think this thread is a wonderful addition to our site. I hope it grows with many more pictures. I am a not-very-good woodwind player and also a guitar and tenor banjo player of no great repute. However, I build stringed instruments as a hobby, so I'm fascinated by anything I can find on the restoration of an old instrument. Please keep the posts coming!

 

[Jon_sparky]

Here is a photo of the other flute made by Meacham & Co. I am not sure who the previous owner was, but like I mentioned I believe was tied to the same Corp. I have just started restoration. You can see the case lends itself to being ideal for horseback to stow with a rifle. Meacham was primarily making military musical instruments in 1828.

 

[General Butler]

Hello,
I restore antique flutes, I came across a couple from the Civil war, and thought you all would like to see them! I have had Union flutes in the past, I will post them at a later date, but today is special! View attachment 360367View attachment 360368View attachment 360369

Today is the likely anniversary of the passing of Sargent Major Alexander Young of the Confederate First Cavalry of Maryland. He was the last of 27 young men to die in a battle Of Tetopotomoy Creek near Hanvortown Virginia on May 27th, 1864. The Confederate army led by General Robert e. Lee used his Cavalry in a failed attempt to ambush The Union army led by General Grant.

Sargent Young came from a rich family in the south and was educated in a private school, no doubt he was well versed in science and music. Besides the two lovely flutes, was also a signed copy of a book on planetary bodies.

He left behind a couple of very nice flutes!
May he Rest In Peace.

The flutes are lovely, you do good work. Must have been tricky to charge the enemy on horseback while tooting a tune to inspire the lads.

 

[Mrs. V]

I agree with you. Musical instuments should be played. Just like pearls should be worn and not sit in a box.

 

[byron ed]

I think this thread is a wonderful addition to our site..I am a not-very-good woodwind player and also a guitar and tenor banjo player of no great repute...

Have you tried a Civil War-pattern banjo? Not that I don't appreciate turn-of-the-century tenor banjos as well.

As to the OP, can we assume that it's only the provenance that makes this a "cavalry flute," right?

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome @Jon_sparky from South Florida and the Reenactors Forum. Good stuff, thanks for sharing with us.

 

[Patrick H]

Have you tried a Civil War-pattern banjo? Not that I don't appreciate turn-of-the-century tenor banjos as well.

As to the OP, can we assume that it's only the provenance that makes this a "cavalry flute," right?

No. I like five string banjos played by good musicians, but I'm not interested in playing that style. I'm a frustrated jazz / swing player.

 

[Jon_sparky]

The flutes are lovely, you do good work. Must have been tricky to charge the enemy on horseback while tooting a tune to inspire the lads.

I think they mostly played for official meetings and social occasions, would paint quite a picture charging into battle playing a flute like a dandy!