Music of the Civil War

Music of the Music of the Civil WarCivil War

Historical BackgroundHistorical BackgroundConflict between North and South results from the government wanting to control the spread of slavery Conflict between North and South results from the government wanting to control the spread of slavery

into new territories along with other issues between state and national governments.into new territories along with other issues between state and national governments.

1861: 1861: – South Carolina first state to secede after Lincoln is South Carolina first state to secede after Lincoln is

elected. elected. – Attack on Ft. Sumter marks beginning of war.Attack on Ft. Sumter marks beginning of war.

1862:1862:– Battle of Antietam (bloodiest in the war)Battle of Antietam (bloodiest in the war)

18631863– Emancipation Proclomation Emancipation Proclomation – GettysburgGettysburg

18641864– Battle of the MonocacyBattle of the Monocacy– Lincoln re-electedLincoln re-elected

18651865– Lee surrendersLee surrenders– Lincoln assassinatedLincoln assassinated

Types of MusicTypes of Music InspirationalInspirational

Spirituals/slave Spirituals/slave songssongs

Songs soldiers sangSongs soldiers sang

Songs families sangSongs families sang

Military MusicMilitary Music

Inspirational MusicInspirational Music Boosts the morale of Boosts the morale of

soldierssoldiers Excites the spirit of Excites the spirit of

the countrythe country Helps recruit new Helps recruit new

soldierssoldiers Included MarchesIncluded Marches

Examples:Examples:Click the links below to Click the links below to

see the lyrics to these see the lyrics to these songs. songs. – Battle Cry of Freedom– Battle Hymn of the Rep

ublic

Spirituals/Slave SongsSpirituals/Slave Songs

Helped pass time Helped pass time while working in the while working in the fieldsfields

Sends secret Sends secret messages messages

Maintain hope for the Maintain hope for the futurefuture

ExamplesExamples– Follow the Drinking Gou

rd– Swing Low Sweet Chari

ot

Songs Soldiers SangSongs Soldiers Sang

Sang while thinking Sang while thinking of loved ones at of loved ones at home.home.

Helped deal with Helped deal with the realities and the realities and tragedies of war.tragedies of war.

ExamplesExamples– Aura Lee– Dixie

Songs Families SangSongs Families Sang

Sang while missing Sang while missing family members family members enlisted in the war.enlisted in the war.

Maintained a sense of Maintained a sense of hope for soldier’s hope for soldier’s return.return.

ExamplesExamples– When Johnny Comes When Johnny Comes

Marching HomeMarching Home– When this Cruel War is When this Cruel War is

OverOver

Military MusicMilitary Music Soldiers were able to Soldiers were able to

enlist and become part enlist and become part of a of a Regimental BandRegimental Band..– Regimental, Infantry, and Regimental, Infantry, and

Artillery bands contained Artillery bands contained about 24 members.about 24 members.

– Cavalry bands contained Cavalry bands contained about 16 members. about 16 members.

Fewer Confederate Fewer Confederate bands existed because bands existed because of the scarcity of metal of the scarcity of metal and the lack of and the lack of instrument instrument manufacturersmanufacturers

Roles of the Military MusiciansRoles of the Military Musicians

Usually stayed behind Usually stayed behind when fighting started and when fighting started and assisted surgeons.assisted surgeons.

Some went into the Some went into the fighting unarmed to help fighting unarmed to help with commands.with commands.

In 1862 a battle of the In 1862 a battle of the bands took place on bands took place on opposite sides of the opposite sides of the Rappahannock river in Rappahannock river in Fredericksburg, VA. Fredericksburg, VA.

Battle ended with both Battle ended with both sided playing the same sided playing the same song and cheering song and cheering together. together.

Instruments Instruments

DrumDrum– Sound off commandsSound off commands– Keep soldiers in stepKeep soldiers in step

FifeFife– Small wooden fluteSmall wooden flute– High shrill tone could High shrill tone could

be heard over bomb be heard over bomb blastsblasts

BugleBugle– Sound off commandsSound off commands

Bugle CommandsBugle CommandsClick here to see a list of Click here to see a list of

military music. Listen to military music. Listen to each command listed below. each command listed below. What is the meaning of each What is the meaning of each one?one?

ReveilleReveille

TapsTaps

RetreatRetreat

AdvanceAdvance

AttentionAttention

Today’s US Military BandsToday’s US Military BandsClick the name of each band to visit its websiteClick the name of each band to visit its website

Play at important eventsPlay at important events– Parades, inaugurations, Parades, inaugurations,

awards.awards. Marine Band (1798)Marine Band (1798)

– Known as the “President’s Known as the “President’s Own”Own”

Army Band (1922)Army Band (1922)– Known as “Pershing’s Known as “Pershing’s

Own”Own” Coast Guard Band (1925) Coast Guard Band (1925) Navy Band (1925)Navy Band (1925) Air Force Band (1941)Air Force Band (1941)