Musicians

[infomanpa]

We all know about the musicians who helped and inspired soldiers as they marched to battle. My question is in regards to where they went and what did they do, once a battle had started? Did they grab a gun? Go to the rear and wait it out?

 

[captaindrew]

Many times they became litter bearers and helped with the wounded

 

[infomanpa]

Many times they became litter bearers and helped with the wounded

So they were not actually trained as soldiers...being able to fire weapons, etc.?

 

[captaindrew]

So they were not actually trained as soldiers...being able to fire weapons, etc.?

That's a good question, I don't know. I'm sure they were familiar with drill but weren't issued firearms. Have to look into that. I know there's been some discussons on musicians here maybe somebody can chime in in the meantime.

 

[rebelatsea]

In our period I think they became litter (stretcher bearers) or anything else that was useful, although no doubt some could use a weapon. In Britain today the musicians are nearly all fully trained infantry, technicians, mechanics, medics and first aiders, depending on which service and band they are in. I can't say if that is true elsewhere. It's said that if you have been a Marine or RAF bandsman any orchestra in the world will take you. ( now I've upset the army LOL). Our Schools of Music train bandsmen and conductors from all over the world.

 

[thomas aagaard]

During the civil war buglers was suppose to be a way of commanding troops.


Here in denmark the musicians in the Royal Life guards are just "civilian" musicians.

Our Schools of Music train bandsmen and conductors from all over the world.

I played trombone in a windband for about 16 years.
My teacher and conductor was a Brit who trained at that school and served as solo cornet for 14 years in the guards... then went back to the school and trained as a conductor.

 

[rebelatsea]

During the civil war buglers was suppose to be a way of commanding troops.


Here in denmark the musicians in the Royal Life guards are just "civilian" musicians.


I played trombone in a windband for about 16 years.
My teacher and conductor was a Brit who trained at that school and served as solo cornet for 14 years in the guards... then went back to the school and trained as a conductor.

He went to Kneller Hall if he was a guards musician, the RAF and Marines have their own schools of music. A look at the Kneller hall concert and marching bands will show uniforms from all over the world.

 

[jackt62]

Is it not true that musician soldiers often played during battle to rally and motivate the troops?

 

[Tom Elmore]

Band musicians typically supported the medical department once a battle commenced. Some excerpts from the Gettysburg campaign:

-Morning of 1 July, the band [26th North Carolina] withdrew to its assigned position with the hospital unit. (Band member Leinbach) : As our wounded men came in, we helped the surgeons with them until 11 p.m., lay down for a little rest … resumed at 3 a.m. [About 6 a.m.] we were sent for to come to the regiment and play for the men. Brigade surgeon said the musicians could not well be spared as there were so many wounded men needing attention. ... Order came from Col. Marshall for the 26th and 11th bands to report to him and return to the hospital in the evening. Both bands played together for some time … seemed to do the men good, for they cheered us lustily. We got back to the hospital sometime after dark, having come by way of wagons to get as much cooked food as we could for the wounded men. July 3, continued to wait on the wounded. Dan Crouse and I went to the wagons for more rations, these were a couple of miles nearer the field of battle than the hospital. July 4, packed wounded into wagons captured by Stuart on a raid, and went with them." (A Johnny Reb Band from Salem, by Henry H. Hall, p. 47-53)

-We [the drum corps] stayed last night in a school house in company with the 16th Maine brass band … in search of corps hospital … 4 July, [served as a] nurse in the barn which is all the hospital. The hospital wagons with the tents not having arrived yet. 5 July, the hospital tents are set up, worked all day today carrying wounded on stretchers to and from the amputating room. 6 July, worked as nurse among the wounded prisoners with John Pitt. 7 July, F. N. Bell appointed ward master of the prisoners tent and I am detailed as one of the attendants. (Diary of Henry Besancon, 104th New York)

-Morning of 2 July, Col. Cavada told me to take good care of the band … we therefore reported to our surgeons, who were at the foot of the Round Top and the Taneytown road. Established our hospital in an old barn … The doctors selected another hospital site along Rock Creek, to and from our hospital the ambulances heaped with the wounded ran all day. (Frank Rauscher, Music on the March, 114th Pennsylvania)

-In time of action the members of the [regimental] band served in connection with the ambulance corps, carrying off the wounded from the field and assisting the surgeons in operations, their duties compelling them to be under fire frequently, although none were ever wounded or killed. (Under the Red Patch, 63rd Pennsylvania)

 

[AUG]

As mentioned, regimental, brigade or division level brass bands usually did not play in battle. One of the few notable instances where they did was during the Confederate advance at Franklin; the band of Cockrell's Missouri Brigade struck up Dixie and Bonnie Blue Flag as the Confederate troops stepped off. And, IIRC, a Federal band also played in return. Though I imagine they stopped once the battle heated up.

However, I believe drummers, fifers and buglers were still used to direct troops in battle. Bugle calls were used in the cavalry and artillery and often used to command the skirmish line in the infantry.

 

[Mrs. V]

Very interesting question, as well as answers. We only have a few books in our library dealing with Civil War musicians..one is "The Last Brother"..he was a bugler..and Drummer boy. I guess in Elementary school, you mostly have non-fiction books dealing with the war between the states..might have to remedy that!

 

[rebelatsea]

The Civil War may well have been the last in which drummers and buglers transmitted battle orders, at least on land. At sea the last instance of drums and trumpets, (in this case) being played by live personel was at Tsushima where the Japanese Navy employed trumpeters to transmit gunnery orders. one RN observer said the system was at its most efficient when no one could hear them !
I don't know when the practice of bands or drum corps leading troops into battle positions ceased, I'm sure some one here will know.

 

[captaindrew]

This is an interesting subject. I had a relative, my 4th great uncle Andrew Jackson Lawrence who was in the 3d Vermont Infantry regimental band. Haven't been able to find out much about him other than the dates he served. Would be interesting to learn more about what he might have been doing in action.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Johann Christoph Julius Langbein (September 22, 1846 – January 28, 1910) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a drummer boy in the Union Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Musician, Company B, 9th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Camden, N.C., April 19, 1862. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Born: September 29, 1846, Germany. Date of issue: January 7, 1895.

Citation:
A drummer boy, 15 years of age, he voluntarily and under a heavy fire went to the aid of a wounded officer, procured medical assistance for him, and aided in carrying him to a place of safety. - wikipedia

Edit - Read about
"Union Musicians and the Medal of Honor During the American Civil War"
https://symposium.music.org/index.p...onor-during-the-american-civil-war&Itemid=124

 

[BrianB]

Orion Perseus Howe (December 29, 1848 – January 27, 1930) drummer, 55th Illinois, was pinned down with his regiment under fire during the first assault on Vicksburg (5/63). He volunteered to carry a message to Sherman that his regiment needed ammunition. He was wounded, but made it to Sherman. Received the CMOH.

William Horsfall (March 3, 1847 – October 22, 1922). drummer, 1st KY Inf. rescued a wounded officer under fire in May 1862. received the CMOH

Julian A. Scott (2/25/46 to 7/14/01) 3rd Vt Inf. Rescued wounded under fire, 4/62, received the CMOH.