How Did Music Affect The Civil War

I don’t believe we can have an army without music.” —Robert E. Lee. “If we’d had your music, sir, we’d have whipped you out of your boots.” — A Confederate officer at Appomattox to his Union counterpart”. The outcome of the Civil War was solely based on the North’s access to music. It gave both sides a way to express their views and differences. Music comforted, entertained and gave soldiers something to do other than worry about loved ones. At home, it distracted families from all the fears they had and back memories from better times.
Most regiments tried to get bands for their soldiers and it became as valuable as food or shelter. Bands had an average of twenty members. Some members were also willing to go fight or be doctors. Few bands even had the gut to go into battle with the soldiers and play their instruments! Drums, bugles, fiddles, banjos and singers were usually in a regiment band. Many also included
In the winter of 1862, a “battle of bands” occurred. At this time Union and Confederate armies were camping on different sides of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Union played a tune to cheer the soldiers up. The Confederate side quickly answered back with a song of their own. This constant back and forth competition of songs went on for a long period of time. Then, both sides played “Home, Sweet Home” and Union and Confederate, black and white, male and on rare occasions female united as one group of Americans.
In conclusion, the outcome of the Civil War was solely based on the North’s access to music. While the North, South and slaves had different views, music brought people together in the midst of a war. It made lives on the homefront, which were filled with endless days of work, a little easier. Music soothed the aching minds of soldiers. Many songs are still used today and still warm the hearts of Americans every