I knew that my gg grandfather was a musician, but on one of the muster rolls that I found there is a note that reads: Fifer, transfered to regimental band.
Was the band its own company? Would this have anything to do with how much action that group of men saw? Why would the word transfer be used?
Any thoughts?
Regimental bands were not their own company. For the most part they were members of a local band brought from the counties where the regiments were formed. On both sides, regimental bands were for the most part, only on board in the early war. I can't speak chapter and verse for the Confederates, but in the Federal Army regimental brass bands were sent home or transfered into the ranks after July 1862. Afterwards brass band still existed on the brigade level only, and were much smaller than the orginal regimental bands. I would imagine the same situation existed in the CS armies.
On the other hand, field music remained inplace throughout the war in infantry regiments. This included one fifer and one drummer per company. They were combined to form the regimental field music, sounding camp signals and leading the troops on the march. By mid war fifes and drums had faded from cavalry and artillery. During actual combat field music usually assisted the medical.
As for your gg grandfather, I'm surprised he went from field music to the band. Usually it was the other way around. By late war bands had pretty much faded from the CS army. They were needed in the ranks.They were noted in the CS reports on the charge at Franklin.
The ACW was the twilight of fifes and drums. Afterwards the army went strictly to bugles, then of course to modern means of commincation in the 20th century.
Lee was quoted as saying, "I don't know how you could have an army without music." Jubal Early said after the war " If we'd had your music we would have won."
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