Civil War Music
Categories of Civil War Music 1. Inspirational Marching Songs- written to boost the morale of soldiers 2. Spirituals- traditional slave songs 3. Sad songs that soldiers sang thinking of home 4. Songs families sang thinking of loved ones away at war
Drummers Drumbeats originally served for a purpose: 1. Drum calls - morning call - evening call - sick call - gurad duty 2. Keep soldiers in step - usually with fife
Fife music - similar to a piccolo with a shrill tone - could be heard over the cannons and battlefield noise
Buglers (Cavalry only) - responsible for sounding out commands - reveille- morning call - tattoo- night call - field commands- advance and retreat
Bands Called upon to play at recruitment rallies 1. Regimental band- play for parades, formations and evening concerts - each artillery regiment could have one 24-member band - cavalry was limited to a 16 member band 2. Brigade bands- served the entire brigade of a division