Mourning bands

major bill

Brev. Brig. Gen'l
Forum Host
Joined
Aug 25, 2012
Proper mourning was very important during the Civil War and was much more structured that it is today.

Soldiers were allowed to wear mourning bands during the Civil War. Some were rather elaberate and other less so.
mouring.jpg
 
I'm wondering @major bill , considering the amount of death during the CW, whether there were specific people for whom the armbands were worn...say higher up officials (military/government)? I know, as I posted above, Sherman was wearing his after the death of Lincoln. I shared it somewhere else on the site.

Some also seem to be bands, and others 'ribbons'. I wonder if that was just personal choice, or involved some other kind of tradition.

Interesting thread btw.
 
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From the 1861 regulations.

299. The usual badge of military mourning is a piece of black crape around the left arm, above the elbow, and also upon the sword-hilt; and will be worn when in full or in undress.

300. As family mourning, crape will be worn by officers (when in uniform) only around the left arm.
 
More form the 1861 regulations.


FUNERAL HONORS. 275. On the receipt of official intelligence of the death of the President of the United States, at any post or camp, the commanding officer shall, on the following day, cause a gun to be fired at every half hour, beginning at sunrise, and ending at sunset. When posts are contiguous, the firing will take place at the post only commanded by the superior officer. 276. On the day of the interment of a General commanding-in-chief, a gun will be fired at every half hour, until the procession moves, beginning at sunrise. 277. The funeral escort of a General commanding-in-chief shall consist of a regiment of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, and six pieces of artillery. 278. That of a 3Jajor-General, a regiment of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery. 279. That of a Brigadier-General, a regiment of infantry, one comn pany of cavalry, and two pieces of artillery. FOR THE ARMY. 43

Page 44 REVISED REGULATIONS Funeral Honors. 280 That of a Colonel, a regiment. 281. That of a Lieutenant-Colonel, six companies. 282 That of a Major, four companies. 283. That of a Captain, one company. 284. That of a Subaltern, half a company. 285. The funeral escort shall always be commanded by an officer of the same rank with the deceased; or, if none such be present, by one of the next inferior grade. 286. The funeral escort of a non-commissioned staff officer shall consist of sixteen rank and file, commanded by a Sergeant. 287. That of a Sergeant, of fourteen rank and file, commanded by a Sergeant. 288. That of a Corporal, of twelve rank and file, commanded by a Corporal; and, 289. That of a private, of eight rank and file, commanded by a Corporal. 290. The escort will be formed in two ranks, opposite to the quarters or tent of the deceased, with shouldered arms and bayonets unfixed; the artillery and cavalry on the right of the infantry. 291. On the appearance of the corpse, the officer commanding the escort will command, P)resent-ARMS! when the honors due to the deceased will be paid by the drums and trumpets. The music will then play an appropriate air, and the coffin will then be taken to the right, where it will be halted. The commander will next order, 1. Shoulder-ARMs! 2. BY company (or platoon), left wheel. 3. MARCH! 4. Reverse-ARMs! 5. Column, forward. 6. Guide right. 7. MARcH! The arms will be reversed at the order by bringing the firelock under the left arm, butt to the front, barrel downward, left hand sustaining the lock, the right steadying the firelock behind the back; swords are .reversed in a similar manner under the right arm. 292. The column will be marched in slow time to solemn music, and, on reaching the grave, will take a direction so as that the guides shall be next to the grave. When the centre of the column is opposite the grave, the commander will order, 1. Column. 2. HIIALT! 3. Right into line, wheel. 4. MARcH! The coffin is then brought along the front, to the opposite side of the grave, and the commnander then orders, 44

Page 45 FOR THE ARMY. Funeral Honors. 1. Shoulder-ARMS! 2. Present-ARMS! And when the coffin reaches the grave, he adds, 1. Shoulder-ARMS! 2. Rest on-ARMS! I The rest on arms is done by placing the muzzle on the left foot, both hands on the butt, the head on the hands or bowed, right knee bent. 293. After the funeral service is performed, and the coffin is lowered into the grave, the commander will order, 1. Attention! 2. Shoulder-ARMS! 3. Load at will. 4. LOAD I When three rounds of small arms will be fired by the escort, taking care to elevate the pieces. 294. This being done, the commander will order, 1. By company (or platoon), right wheel. 2. MARCH! 3. Column, forward. 4. Guide left. 5. Quick-MARcH! The music will not begin to play until the escort is clear of the inclosure. 29' When the distance to the place of interment is considerable, the escort may march in common time and in column of route, after leaving the camp or garrison, and till it approaches the burial-ground. 296. The pall-bearers, six in number, will be selected from the grade of the deceased, or from the grade or grades next above or below it. 297. At the funeral of an officer, as many in commission of the army, division, brigade, or regiment, according to the rank of the deceased, as can conveniently be spared from other duties, will join in the procession in uniform, and with side-arms. The funeral of a non-commissioned officer or private will be attended, in like manner, by the non-commissioned officers or privates of the regiment or company, according to the rank of the deceased, with'side-arms only. 298. Persons joining in the procession follow the coffin in the inverse order of their rank. 299. The usual badge of military mourning is a piece of black crape around the left arm, above the elbow, and also upon the sword-hilt; and will be worn when in full or in undress. 300. As family mourning, crape will be worn by officers (when in uniform) only around the left arm. 301. The drums of a funeral escort will be covered with black crape, or thin black serge. 46
 
The regulation states 'The usual badge of military mourning is a piece of black crape around the left arm, above the elbow, and also upon the sword-hilt; and will be worn when in full or in undress."

My take on this is that the regulations does not forbid the use of some other badge of military mourning. It is clear that several images do not show black crape around the arm and instead show some kind of cockade with tails. I would assume the regulations were not strictly enforced.
 
The drums of a funeral escort will be covered with black crape, or thin black serge. 46
Is this to create the muffled drum effect?

Theodore O'Hara. 1820–1867

Bivouac of the Dead

THE MUFFLED drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;

No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

http://www.bartleby.com/102/147.html
 

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