"Bully for the Band!": The Civil War Letters and Diary of Four Brothers in the 10th Vermont Infantry Band

by Charles George, Herbert George, Jere George

Overview

From the commanding call of the bugle at reveille to combat instructions (such as "fix bayonets") to reassuring songs around the campfire at night, music was an integral part of the Civil War soldier's experience. This volume presents the Civil War writings of Charles, Herbert, Jeremiah and Osman George, four brothers from the town of Newbury, Vermont, who played in the 10th Vermont Infantry regimental band. Their letters and a diary describe the life of an enlisted musician, including forming a band, rehearsals and repertory, performances for officers, troops, and civilians--and battlefield stretcher-bearer duties. Despite the hardships they suffered, including the loss of one brother, their writings (supported by detailed scene-setting narratives by editor Davis) reveal the Georges' fraternal bond that sustained them emotionally and ensured they would continue to serve their comrades in battle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786466863
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	01/24/2012
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

James A. Davis is a professor of musicology and chair of the Music History Area at the State University of New York, Fredonia. His articles have appeared in American Music, The Journal of Military History, North & South, and the Journal of Band Research.

Table of Contents

"The 10th Vermont in Dixie" viii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: Civil War Musicians Charles, Jere, Osman and Herbert George 1

1 September to December 1862: Enlistment; Military District of Washington; Offutts Crossroads; and Poolesville, Maryland 15

2 January to June 1863: Poolesville, Maryland 46

3 June to December 1863: Pursuit of Lee; Bristoe Campaign; Mine Run Campaign; and Brandy Station 75

4 January to May 1864: Winter Quarters, Brandy Station; The Wilderness; and Spotsylvania 115

5 May to July 1864: North Anna River; Cold Harbor; Petersburg, Virginia; and Monocacy, Maryland 145

6 August to November 1864: Shenandoah Valley Campaign 176

7 December 1864 to April 1865: Petersburg, Virginia 206

8 April to June 1865: Sailor's Creek; Appomattox Court House; Danville, Virginia; and Burlington, Vermont 229

Chapter Notes 261

Bibliography 277

Index 287

Editorial Reviews

important...well-written...highly recommended”—Blue & Gray Magazine; “a thoroughly researched scholarly work...Kudos to James Davis for a fine book on a very important area of band research”—Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association; “an important contribution...yet another of McFarland’s superb additions to the field of Civil War literature. A well written narrative interspersed throughout the book places the letters in the overall context of the war. The letters add great insight into the role bands played in the Civil War...highly recommended”—Civil War News; “fascinating...well-researched”—H-Net Reviews.

From the Publisher

a thoroughly researched scholarly work...Kudos to James Davis for a fine book on a very important area of band research

Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association

important...well-written...highly recommended

Blue & Gray Magazine

an important contribution...yet another of McFarland's superb additions to the field of Civil War literature. A well written narrative interspersed throughout the book places the letters in the overall context of the war. The letters add great insight into the role bands played in the Civil War...highly recommended

Civil War News

a thoroughly researched scholarly work...Kudos to James Davis for a fine book on a very important area of band research

Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association