Music of the American Civil War Copyright © Frankel Consulting Services, Inc.

A Brief History of the War

Confederacy formed on February 9, 1861 under Jefferson Davis. The Civil War began on April 12, 1861 with Confederate troops opening fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC. No blood was shed. September 17, America’s bloodiest battle at Antietam, MD - 26,000 die.

September 22, Emancipation Proclamation frees the slaves. July 1-3, Battle of Gettysburg turns the tide of the war. November 19, President Lincoln delivers the famous Gettysburg address. January 31, Congress adopts the 13th amendment abolishing slavery. April 9, General Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox.

April 14, 1865, just days after Lee’s surrender, John Wilkes Booth shoots President Abraham Lincoln in the head at the Ford Theater in Washington during the 3rd act of “Our American Cousin” - dies the next morning.

The American Civil War was the greatest in our history. 3 million men fought - 600,000 died. It was and remains the only war fought on American soil by Americans.

The Leaders during the Civil War

Some images of the Civil War

And now for the music…

The 1860’s was one of the most musical decades in American History In no other American War did music play such an important role. General Robert E. Lee wrote in 1864: “I don’t believe we can have an army without music.” So many of our most “American” songs came from that decade.

Songs from the Civil War The Union Battle Cry of Freedom Battle Hymn of the Republic When Johnny Comes Marching Home Star Spangled Banner Columbia Gem of the Ocean

The Confederacy The Yellow Rose of Texas Dixie Oh Susannah Kingdom Coming Shenandoah

The single most important musical innovation during the Civil War was the formation of the very first Marching Bands

Instruments of the Civil War

Drums and Bugles

The Fife was still popular, especially in combination with the drum.

The Cornet

Saxhorns

The Role of the Marching Band Highly effective in recruiting efforts Boosted the morale of the troops Functional role Military bandsmen served as medics Local town bands would usually become attached to the local militia in the 1840’s and 50’s. They then all enlisted together when the War broke out.

When the troops were not fighting, the bands would entertain the troops with many popular songs from the era, including dance music and sentimental songs. The musicians would constantly try to outplay each other, and the level of musicianship of the bands was very high by the end of the war. Often, the Union and Confederate bands could hear each other playing, and they would compete as well.

What instruments were in the marching band? Cornets Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass Saxhorns Snare drum Bass Drum Cymbals

Conclusions Music was very important during the Civil War. Many of our most famous American tunes, were written during the war. While the Civil War is the darkest period in our history, much good came from it, including the music.

To learn more… There are 50,000 books and countless films about the Civil War

What’s ahead?