The 46th Pennsylvania Regiment Band
(The Logan Guards)
History of the Civil War Regimental Bands
Military music has been very important throughout history. In America, the military brass band reached its zenith during the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, every regiment had its' own band. As the war thinned the ranks, many musicians were converted to infantrymen and bands were rarely found below the brigade level. The regimental bands were used primarily for dress parades and marching, but also provided music for all ceremonies and concerts in the camps and garrisons. The regimental bands actually marched troops into battle, exposed to shot and shell as they played.
The music played by these bands consisted of military marches, transcriptions of orchestral overtures and opera literature, and folk songs; waltzes, polkas, and schottisches were played for dancing.
Fifers, buglers, and drummers provided field music. Field music consisted of fanfare like signals known as calls. The purpose of these calls was to announce the daily events in camp, as well as relay orders on the battlefield.
Musicians were considered non-combatants and did not normally carry arms. Their uniforms were often adorned with distinctive piping to identify them as non-combatants. Some field commanders recognized that field musicians relayed orders. Therefore, to disrupt the comand and control, field musicians became targets. As the war progressed, the musicians that survived did not wear piping on their uniforms.
The Regimental Bands would boldly lead their fellow soldiers into combat. As the battle raged, musicians grounded their instruments and became stretcher-bearers and surgeon's assistants. The military band continues to be a source of pride and heritage for military units around the world.
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Events This Month
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December 4, 2011
Victorian Christmas - Old Bedford Village Bedford, PA Concerts 5:00-9:00pm
Contact Info:
The Logan Guard
C/O Richard Long
3718 Grof Lane
Hesston, PA 16647
email: rdl198@yahoo.com
webmaster: cw46paband@yahoo.com