Pianos in the Streets

[Doc_Ralph]

Please pardon -in advance - this seemingly obscure and perhaps even frivolous query. And if you would indulge - this old cannoneer - in something that I can't explain why it bugs me - I will forever be in your debt.

What is it with USA infantry pulling pianos out into the street and having a "gay" old time (in the sense that that word used to mean)?

First Fredericksburg comes to mind. After Barksdales snipers had harassed the pontoon engineers and were dislodged by USA, the town was trashed. A piano was found and hauled out and etc. And IMHO grandmas good china was broken. Maryes Heights brooded down on the festivities in town.

Dunno? I have heard rumors of other pianos being played or trashed but these may just be mean and vile rumors about USA comportment. I am open minded enough to purge them if they are squashed as idle slander. I am discounting Sherman's March through Georgia and the Carolina; . as this is IMHO an example of "total war" which had USA War Department approval and legalization of harsh policy. Maybe for another discussion if I can find my class notes for references.

I opine that looting and high jinx have been with all armies since the dawn of time. Perhaps, it was in "the fog of war" I reality do like Burnside's but believe that ransacking the town was unfortunate. Essentially Grandmas china.

I don't know why it is in my craw and perhaps someone can enlighten me: Is there something in CW USA regs about searching premises for snipers) (Barksdale) and/or acquisition of contraband (loot) in a town?

C'mon? A piano in the street? Reality?

OTC
Spotsy CH

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Haven't found anything on pianos used by soldiers in the CW, either on the streets or otherwise.

Did find this: The Time When America Air-dropped Pianos For Troops in Battle

During World War Two, all kinds of production involving metals, such as iron, copper, and brass, that was non-essential to the war effort were halted by the American government, because these metals were needed to make guns, tanks, and artillery. Many musical instrument makers were affected by the new regulations, which meant that either they had to manufacture something else the military could use, or wait for the war to end, which was as good as going out of business.

Steinway & Sons, one of the "Big Four" piano makers whose legacy went back a solid ninety years (at the time war broke out over Europe), was also affected by the restrictions. Instead of shutting down their factory, Steinway decided to bid their time manufacturing coffins and parts for troop transport gliders. Likewise, the Baldwin Piano Company made wooden airplane wings and the Gibson Guitar Company made wooden toys. These ventures were hardly profitable, but at least it provided the company some semblance of a running operation.

Steinway's patience was rewarded when the US Military granted them a contract to make heavy-duty military pianos for commissioned officers. By June 1942, Steinway's workers had designed a small upright piano, no more than forty inches wide and weighing 455 pounds—light enough to be carried by four soldiers. Each piano was treated with special anti-termite and anti-insect solution and sealed with water-resistant glue to withstand dampness. Ivory keys were coated with white celluloid to protect them tropical climates, and soft iron was used instead of copper for windings on the bass strings. The best part was— the piano used only 33 pounds of metal, about a tenth as much as a typical grand piano.

Known as "Victory Verticals", these pianos could be packed into crates and conveniently dropped by parachutes along with tuning equipment and instructions. An estimated 2,5000 pianos were dropped to American soldiers fighting the war in three continents.

Music was an excellent way to keep the men from going insane from the horrors of war and from homesickness, and these pianos played an important role in this front providing soldiers with countless hours of diversion, education, entertainment, worship, enrichment, and outreach. One private wrote to his mother:

Two nights past we received welcome entertainment when a jeep pulling a small wagon came to camp. The wagon contained a light system and a Steinway pianna [sic]. Mom, you would laugh if you were to have seen it, because the Steinway is not at all like Uncle Jake's. It is smaller and painted olive green, just like the jeep. We all got a kick out of it and sure had fun after meals when we gathered around the pianna to sing.

By the time the war ended, Steinway had shipped some 5,000 instruments, but not all went to the military. Roughly half were sold to the United States armed forces, and the rest were bought by religious organizations, educational institutions, hotels and other places of public gatherings.

Steinway's pianos continued to serve the military well after the war was over. When the nuclear-powered submarine USS Thomas A. Edison was built in 1961, a Steinway upright was installed in the crew's mess area at the request of its captain. The instrument remained on board until the sub was decommissioned in 1983. It now lives in the Navy Historical Center in Washington, D.C.

Source: AmusingPlanet.com
"That Time When America Airdropped Pianos For Troops in Battlefields"
by Kaushik Patowary .
July 2, 2019

--BBF

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Haven't found anything on pianos used by soldiers in the CW, either on the streets or otherwise.

Did find this: The Time When America Air-dropped Pianos For Troops in Battle

During World War Two, all kinds of production involving metals, such as iron, copper, and brass, that was non-essential to the war effort were halted by the American government, because these metals were needed to make guns, tanks, and artillery. Many musical instrument makers were affected by the new regulations, which meant that either they had to manufacture something else the military could use, or wait for the war to end, which was as good as going out of business.

Steinway & Sons, one of the "Big Four" piano makers whose legacy went back a solid ninety years (at the time war broke out over Europe), was also affected by the restrictions. Instead of shutting down their factory, Steinway decided to bid their time manufacturing coffins and parts for troop transport gliders. Likewise, the Baldwin Piano Company made wooden airplane wings and the Gibson Guitar Company made wooden toys. These ventures were hardly profitable, but at least it provided the company some semblance of a running operation.

Steinway's patience was rewarded when the US Military granted them a contract to make heavy-duty military pianos for commissioned officers. By June 1942, Steinway's workers had designed a small upright piano, no more than forty inches wide and weighing 455 pounds—light enough to be carried by four soldiers. Each piano was treated with special anti-termite and anti-insect solution and sealed with water-resistant glue to withstand dampness. Ivory keys were coated with white celluloid to protect them tropical climates, and soft iron was used instead of copper for windings on the bass strings. The best part was— the piano used only 33 pounds of metal, about a tenth as much as a typical grand piano.

View attachment 482849

Known as "Victory Verticals", these pianos could be packed into crates and conveniently dropped by parachutes along with tuning equipment and instructions. An estimated 2,5000 pianos were dropped to American soldiers fighting the war in three continents.

View attachment 482850

Music was an excellent way to keep the men from going insane from the horrors of war and from homesickness, and these pianos played an important role in this front providing soldiers with countless hours of diversion, education, entertainment, worship, enrichment, and outreach. One private wrote to his mother:

This is really cool. I had no idea. Thanks.

 

[7thWisconsin]

You´re thinking of something like a baby grand or concert grand. 19th century parlor pianos were a lot smaller. Even smaller than pianos were by the turn of the century. I have something called an ¨upright grand¨ from the late 1880s that has a 6´ upright soundboard backed by 4¨ of oak. It took 6 guys to move it one time, and everyone said ¨If you move again, please don´t call us.¨ Pianos had been gaining popularity as both a solo and accompaniment instrument in middle class American homes for about 40 years by the time of the War. You needed one, obviously, if you´re going to play entertainment after dinner. They were also a status symbol, displaying wealth and stability. Pianos called ¨square grands¨ had the strings mounted sideways and horizonaly, so they didn´t take up a lot of space and could be pushed up against a wall. It doesn´t have a full 88 key keyboard, since you don´t really need the top or bottom octaves for popular music. That also makes them smaller and lighter. They sold for $100-$200, and I´ve read a credible estimate that they were owned by 1 in 1,500 private persons. They´re a lot lighter than a grand or upright grand, with a lot of open space for heavy decoration. This is a square grand built by Emilius Scherr in Philadelphia, circa 1835-1840. It was owned by Ninian and Elizabeth Edwards, friends of Abraham Lincoln in his lawyer days. (So, yes, Lincoln heard this very piano.) It has a 72 key range. I think the piano dragged into the street in Fredericksburg was of this variety.

 

[Tanglewood]

I don't know if this is relevant to any Fredericksburg incidents in particular, but if you wanted music, it was sing, whistle or play an instrument. No radio, phonographs, nothing. Maybe to a unit with a good pianist, a handy piano was just too much to resist.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I don't know if this is relevant to any Fredericksburg incidents in particular, but if you wanted music, it was sing, whistle or play an instrument. No radio, phonographs, nothing. Maybe to a unit with a good pianist, an handy piano was just too much to resist.

Dunno? I opine maybe in the street there was a larger audience. No one has mentioned Grandmas good china (which would be what? English?) Smash, crash, take that.

Or to quote Bob Marley:
"…there will be shooting
And looting all night long…"

From my understanding the Burg was trashed. Not sure if alcohol was involved or what control the provosts would have had.

Maybe I am biased but IMHO I think the Southern boys were "better" behaved. I have seen no accounts of G'burg being trashed or that other Pennsylvania town (whose name alludes me at the moment) . Sharpsburg in Maryland? Perhaps y'all can enlighten me as my memory dims as I approach 70.

Turning to music, I am sure General Lee wanted to drum up support among western Maryland as they splashed across the Potomac to the tune of "Maryland, My Maryland" on way to South Mountain and Antietam for the "first"invasion of the North.

You infantry guys might sing as you march along. Our artillery guys sang alright after hours and rude/naughty songs with a dram of liquid cheer around the campfire. We never pulled a piano out tho.

OTC
Spotsy

 

[Jack7171]

James Peiffer of the 46th Pennsylvania wrote often about how "secesh women" hated Yankees more than the rebel soldiers did,,they were particularly vocal in their despise for the yanks and especially the flag. The Yankees were especially proud and protective of their flag, and that may have fueled some of anger and loss of decorum in Fredericksburg, especially towards its women. It was the only way to "get back" at them for their disrespect towards something the Yankees were willing to die for. I'm totally spitballing here,, but basing my opinion on what I've read in his letters and diary

 

[delta rifles]

Members of the 5th Company Washington Artillery apparently held an impromptu piano concert during the lulls in the fighting around Jackson, Mississippi on July 11, 1863. Apparently the piano was commandeered from a nearby home and drug to their position along Johnston's defensive line around the city. I believe the piano itself on display at the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans.
Here is a link to the story: http://www.washingtonartillery.com/WA Music page.htm

It has been a long time since I've read the books, but I seem to recall that Philip Daingerfield Stephenson mentioned it in his diary and Nathaniel Cheairs Hughes devoted some time to it in his history of the 5th Company Washington Artillery.

 

[Championhilz]

Members of the 5th Company Washington Artillery apparently held an impromptu piano concert during the lulls in the fighting around Jackson, Mississippi on July 11, 1863. Apparently the piano was commandeered from a nearby home and drug to their position along Johnston's defensive line around the city. I believe the piano itself on display at the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans.
Here is a link to the story: http://www.washingtonartillery.com/WA Music page.htm

It has been a long time since I've read the books, but I seem to recall that Philip Daingerfield Stephenson mentioned it in his diary and Nathaniel Cheairs Hughes devoted some time to it in his history of the 5th Company Washington Artillery.

Map of Jackson, Miss: and surroundings during the siege July 10th-16th, 1863, and location of the Cooper home whence a piano was carried by a company of pioneers, commanded by a Capt: McPheely, to the position of 5th Company, Washington (Louisiana) Battery, and there remained during the siege, and played upon while the battle, July 12th, 1863, was in progress.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Dunno? I opine maybe in the street there was a larger audience. No one has mentioned Grandmas good china (which would be what? English?) Smash, crash, take that.

Or to quote Bob Marley:
"…there will be shooting
And looting all night long…"

From my understanding the Burg was trashed. Not sure if alcohol was involved or what control the provosts would have had.

Maybe I am biased but IMHO I think the Southern boys were "better" behaved. I have seen no accounts of G'burg being trashed or that other Pennsylvania town (whose name alludes me at the moment) . Sharpsburg in Maryland? Perhaps y'all can enlighten me as my memory dims as I approach 70.

Turning to music, I am sure General Lee wanted to drum up support among western Maryland as they splashed across the Potomac to the tune of "Maryland, My Maryland" on way to South Mountain and Antietam for the "first"invasion of the North.

You infantry guys might sing as you march along. Our artillery guys sang alright after hours and rude/naughty songs with a dram of liquid cheer around the campfire. We never pulled a piano out tho.

OTC
Spotsy

Fredericksburg was sacked wantonly. Soldiers pulled all kinds of stuff out into the streets and simply destroyed it: china, furniture, mattresses... clothing. What was more shocking about the sack of Fredericksburg - and recognized as shocking even at the time - was that the majority of the looters were veteran soldiers, the ones who are usually disciplined. It was an ugly incident in a war which had previously been marked by a pretty reasonable respect for property by both sides.