History/Descriptions:

During the Civil War, music had been one of the most important thing to both side of the conflict: Union and the Confederate. In fact, during the early periods of the war the Union side were given at least two musicians for every infantry, artillery, or cavalry company, and each regiment would have at least 24 musician. Around December of 1861 it was deterimined that at least 28,000 men in the Union Army were musicians, and approximately the same amount was in the Confederate Army as well. Although this idea was eventually abolished around July of 1862, as more soldiers were needed than musicians, most of the musicians re-enlisted themselves to be soldiers as well as musicians.

As stated by the great Confederate General Robert E. Lee after enjoying a brass serenate, "I don't think we can have an army without music". Lee spoke for majority of the soldiers, both North and South. Instrumental musicians were especially important in the civil war military experiences. On a typical day for a soldier, listening to music had became part of life. Starting with the morning, the soldiers would wake up to the rattling beat of the drums. The Band Music would energize soldiers on the march and break the monotony of camp life. During combat, each side would play music that symbolizes each side, such as "Dixie" for the Confederates, or "Battle Hymn of the Republic." for the Union. After a combat, when the soldiers are in a hospital, the musicians would play music of home and country, mainly to remind themselves of love and family.

The army had two categories of music: Field music and Band Music. Field Musicians are more for everyday life such as time organizations, marching, and battlefield, while Band Musicians are more for Entertainment purpose. However, they also support the army in the battlefield by playing strong patriotic songs to frighten the oppositions. It was once said that music was the equilvalent of a thousand men. Both were essential as each provided different functions to the army. Without either one the soldiers would most likely suffer from loss of morale, and ultimately lose the reason to fight.

The sound of camp and combat music were never forgotten by those who lived with them. From the words of one of the soldiers that participated in the civil war that had a reunion in 1888, he stated that when a bugler sounded the old Dan Butterfield call, veterans who had been scattered everywhere came to the hill in answer to the call, most of them had tears in their eyes. It was then that they were once again reminded by the memories of the war while having a breath-taking sense of reality.