tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post8002584151226422090..comments2023-05-28T10:55:51.355-04:00Comments on Attics and Old Lace: Sepia Saturday 91: Musicians in the US Civil WarUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-77935334490980336262011-09-25T10:00:57.132-04:002011-09-25T10:00:57.132-04:00Very intriguing picture! I love your croppings. It...Very intriguing picture! I love your croppings. It looks a bit staged to me as well, but that doesn't really matter.Rob From Amersfoorthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05126935681056217032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-33711605781932887722011-09-13T08:57:23.453-04:002011-09-13T08:57:23.453-04:00When I first see a picture like this, I'm incl...When I first see a picture like this, I'm inclined to glance and assume I've taken it all in. Then to have it shown to me in such a way, so much more comes to light!Sheila @ A Postcard a Dayhttp://apostcardaday.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-15073905407676082452011-09-12T11:29:34.312-04:002011-09-12T11:29:34.312-04:00@Kathy
Thanks for all your encouragement. Reading ...@Kathy<br />Thanks for all your encouragement. Reading your blog was a great example to follow on blogging! I still have a lot to learn - best photo sizes, etc. But, it is a fun learning curve.Liz Strattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14355785887810653358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-20579449435387020952011-09-12T11:28:04.299-04:002011-09-12T11:28:04.299-04:00@Mike
Thank you for the additional background info...@Mike<br />Thank you for the additional background information. I hope to do a more detailed post on both musicians at a later time. You know how research is ... always a work in progress!<br /><br />Richard was likely a field musician and Henry probably played in the regimental band. As you say, in 1862 most brass bands were dismissed and smaller brigade bands were formed. The number of musicians in the war dropped dramatically as there were fewer bands and those that remained were smaller.<br /><br />Henry re-enlisted November 1863 and was detailed to the brass band. At this point, it was most likely a brigade band. From January-June 1864, he was on detached service with the brigade band. <br /><br />There photographs of the 34th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The one I found has only 16 band members so it likely dates from after 1862. It may include Henry but positive identification hasn't been made and the research continues ....<br /><br />Thank you for the fantastic story! I didn't count but was it 1000 words?! The steamboats are in a Wiki that is open for public contribution. I'm sure they would love any contributions you might make to their Wiki.Liz Strattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14355785887810653358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-52593406180695214472011-09-12T11:02:33.616-04:002011-09-12T11:02:33.616-04:00Liz,
Your blog is absolutely wonderful! It's ...Liz,<br />Your blog is absolutely wonderful! It's almost like you've been blogging for years and not a relative newcomer. I look forward to reading your posts, especially since we have our Cincinnati roots to share. Congratulations!Kathy Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09417754385375586302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-11446158692507875342011-09-12T10:53:26.248-04:002011-09-12T10:53:26.248-04:00Fantastic! Richard and Henry would be pleased to b...Fantastic! Richard and Henry would be pleased to be so remembered.<br /><br />There were two kinds of musicians: bandsmen served in regimental bands and played for parades, ceremonies etc.; and field musicians who played the bugles, drums, and fifes used for signaling orders. Imagine the chaos of 19th century warfare and you'll understand the need for special noise that ordered the movement of troops to advance, retreat, etc. <br /><br />The regimental bands were part of the flurry of volunteer units at the start of the war in 1861. Once everyone realized that this would be a protracted and costly conflict, Congress cut back the expense for music, and all the volunteer bands were mustered out in August 1862, limiting musicians to field music and regular army bands. Both kinds of musicians did auxiliary work as stretcher bearers or what we would call medical orderly, though incredibly unsophisticated by modern standards. Quite a few musicians won the medal of honor, too.<br /><br />Zouaves were one of those quirks of fashions, and there were bands and soldiers from both North and South who sported the French colonial style uniform, due in part to the popularity of France and the extravagant 2nd Empire of Napoleon III, and a connection to French/French Canadian heritage of various units. They were the exception to regular army uniforms though.<br /><br />Thank you also for your wonderful link to the Cincinnati Library archives. I have updated my blog-post on steamboats to include several of their excellent photos.Mike Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065245846262417519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-14380580837626608382011-09-12T10:50:22.055-04:002011-09-12T10:50:22.055-04:00Wow! Thanks for breathing so much life into this ...Wow! Thanks for breathing so much life into this photo. I really enjoyed it.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-37370808471152313552011-09-12T05:45:15.502-04:002011-09-12T05:45:15.502-04:00much like flag bearers, they may have been an easy...much like flag bearers, they may have been an easy target, and demoralizing for their troop when shut.<br /><br />HUGZBruno Lalibertéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09607511642101907283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-87524608410370965272011-09-11T15:48:05.655-04:002011-09-11T15:48:05.655-04:00This was just fantastic! I love how you used cuto...This was just fantastic! I love how you used cutouts from the main pic tell the story.Coloring Outside the Lineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15289093479063221765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-79836386985996917652011-09-11T15:19:02.900-04:002011-09-11T15:19:02.900-04:00This looks like a staged photo. I do remember read...This looks like a staged photo. I do remember reading many photos from the Civil War were. They'd redress the dead in a different uniform. Of course, this info might be wrong. These days they'd just use Photoshop. Sort of proves that all along you couldn't really trust photographs for their truthfulness. <br /><br />I've always found it fascinating that some went to battle with just musical instruments. Or those who were the standard-bearer. As they were shot someone else would pick up the flag and continue on. I wonder if this was true for the drummers?Tattered and Losthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00208918251232477186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-17647691998128459872011-09-11T14:30:06.667-04:002011-09-11T14:30:06.667-04:00I love how you analyzed this photo in such detail....I love how you analyzed this photo in such detail. I had no idea that the role of the musicians was so extensive. How frightening for them.Christine H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09786732494496282743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-65512953527480527402011-09-11T04:45:50.966-04:002011-09-11T04:45:50.966-04:00I always think of Sepia Saturday as being a bit li...I always think of Sepia Saturday as being a bit like a magazine it which you find fascinating articles which can take you through a variety of subjects. Your post this week is a perfect example - as I read it I find myself instructed and fascinated. What a perfect example of creative dissection of an image.Alan Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01015127443616786425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-7200522558372192662011-09-10T20:29:25.519-04:002011-09-10T20:29:25.519-04:00I knew from history that the marching bands really...I knew from history that the marching bands really were part of the battles. You did a great deal of research here and it was so worth reading and learning so much more.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09093078029028920810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-39456016096596500402011-09-10T14:01:15.507-04:002011-09-10T14:01:15.507-04:00A very interesting post. Staged or not the photo g...A very interesting post. Staged or not the photo gives us an insight to what went on. I've learned a lot from your deconstruction.Bob Scotneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662958579705940009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-17812419294045607272011-09-10T11:23:01.242-04:002011-09-10T11:23:01.242-04:00Little Nell, as a demonstration photo it could eit...Little Nell, as a demonstration photo it could either be a demonstration conducted for senior military officials or for the public. The Wiki entry on Zouaves captioned this photo as a demonstration but gave no source of the caption.<br /><br />After Brett's comment, I added the background which sure looks like a military encampment. I'd be inclined to think it was taken during the war as a demo for officers. Note that the carnage is very isolated to the area around the carriage. But, this could have been the last stop of the day so ....Liz Strattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14355785887810653358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-42345528354600220332011-09-10T08:48:04.211-04:002011-09-10T08:48:04.211-04:00That picture really shows a lot. I didn't real...That picture really shows a lot. I didn't realize that the drummers were so much a part of the action.Postcardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16399915833682943432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-80863543946783891282011-09-10T06:52:36.889-04:002011-09-10T06:52:36.889-04:00There’s so much to see in this picture, and it mee...There’s so much to see in this picture, and it meets the 'picture telling a thousand words’ admirably. By a demonstration photo, do you mean the scene was staged? There is a tiny feeling that it is, as many war photographs and moving film were in the early days, the better to tell the story. Well done on a fascinating post.Little Nellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11862657943846727987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-23317323572826831362011-09-10T00:45:12.013-04:002011-09-10T00:45:12.013-04:00What an amazing photo and such a great amount of i...What an amazing photo and such a great amount of information for each shot. You say this is from your grab bag...but Alan will believe it's filled with action, and action is one of his points in his theme photo..so outstanding work!Karen S.http://twincitiesblather.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-69433591885273791722011-09-09T22:18:34.663-04:002011-09-09T22:18:34.663-04:00Yes you have, terribly, I love it :)Yes you have, terribly, I love it :)Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-62310710259499331032011-09-09T22:17:16.941-04:002011-09-09T22:17:16.941-04:00Brett,
You are right that they were Zouaves. That...Brett,<br />You are right that they were Zouaves. That is what led me to the photograph in the first place. It is possible that the photo was a demonstration photo. The LOC dates the photo from 1861-1869. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/cwp2003004579/PP/ I don't know the source of the Wiki caption.<br /><br />I first ran across this photo in 2004 and was fortunate to stumble on it for the theme this week! It was originally posted under a different title so evidently more has been learned about it.<br /><br />Researching medicine in the Civil War is a fascinating topic. There were so many advances made and yet, so many lives were still lost. And then there are the Zoaves, and the uniforms and the musicians....<br /><br />I hope I haven't driven you to too much distraction!Liz Strattonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14355785887810653358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096878463388762735.post-55303085172701990092011-09-09T21:40:14.564-04:002011-09-09T21:40:14.564-04:00You've delved into this photograph in such dep...You've delved into this photograph in such depth, Liz, that I've learnt a great deal about the subject, from what was already an interesting shot before you started the deconstruction. I am intrigued by so much:<br />- the turban-like headgear being worn by the ambulance crew; a couple of the injured also wear them. Are they Zouaves? (well, that question is answered by this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zouave#Zouaves_of_the_American_Civil_War" rel="nofollow">link</a>)<br />- the possibility that at least some of the injured might have been posed (see the caption to the photo in the above link)<br />- the stretchers which look little more than reinforced boards<br /><br />Thank you for yet another topic to get severely distracted by.Brett Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706734864792449845noreply@blogger.com