George F Root Songs

George F Root Songs



During the American civil war music played very important role. Northern morals along with southern forces took the services of musicians heavily to enhance the morale of their armies. Songs like tramp tramp and battle of freedom were very popular on both sides, but mostly the songs were branded as the songs of the north or songs of the south.

During the Civil War songs were one of the most favorite ways for the troops to pass their leisure time. Many songs were composed by George roots during the war and those songs were sung throughout the army. There were many inspirational themes to go away, while others were sad and sentimental and sang when thinking of home and loved. Sometimes, soldiers heard or see the burning side of war and they would write their own lyrics to it.

In the field, the air fifers played loud beat of drums accompanied by several strokes. Rolls originally served two purposes: to tell soldiers what to do, and to keep in step. The drum called the orders issued to soldiers still. The bugles were crucial in the war because they were also responsible for sounding out commands. These included reveille in the morning as well as field commands such as advance and retreat.

In May 1861 the United States War Department officially approved that every regiment of infantry and artillery could have a brass band with 24 members, while a cavalry regiment could have one of sixteen members. The Confederate army would also have brass bands. This was followed by a Union army regulation of July 1861 requiring every infantry, artillery, or Cavalry Company to have two musicians and for there to be a twenty-four man band for every regiment. The July 1861 requirement was ignored as the war dragged on, as riflemen were more needed than musicians. In July 1862 the brass bands of the Union were disassembled by the adjutant general, although the soldiers that comprised them were sometimes reenlisted and assigned to musician roles. A survey in October 1861 found that 75% of Union regiments had a band. By December 1861 the Union army had 28,000 musicians in 618 bands; a ratio of one soldier out of 41 who served the army was a musician, and the Confederate army was believed to have a similar ratio.

Musicians were often given special privileges. Union general Phillip Sheridan gave his cavalry bands the best horses and special uniforms, believing Music has done its share, and more than its share, in winning this war.

Music has always been an important part of American society. The army played streak at recruitment meetings and patriotic airs March were sometimes a great incentive to inspire young men to enlist. When volunteer regiments were recruited, a regimental band of generally included as part of that group. The bands are also needed to play for parades and evening concerts. The Union and Confederate armies had both regimental ...