Civil+War-Essay+ChrissyE09

[|Presentation] Civil War Essay

The civil war was a cruel and terrible war, and while we always think that the solders had the biggest part, as well as the generals, there was also music. Music play an immense part over what happened on the battle field, before they went to the battle field, after the battle, and also when they were waiting back at camp. In each of these situations music did something different, but it definitely helped ease the solders minds or help them on the battle field, when they were needed to do their best.

Music helped to calm the nerves of the solders when they were just about to go into battle. The bands, in most regiments, were not allowed to go into battle because they were important to leading the soldiers into battle. The bands played music to keep the solders in step. It was also used to keep the soldiers spirits high before battle. So as you can see, solders needed music as an essential before battle.

Specific instruments in the band were extremely important to how the solders performed on the battle field. The fife and the piccolo were an important factor because it made such a high pitched tone that it could be heard over the loud booming of the cannon. The drums and the fife were used to send out orders to the solders, during battle. The bugle was used in cavalry regiments, for they didn't use fifes or drums because they were on horses. Music was mainly used to give directions and to make the solders forget about what happened on the battle field. After battle music was used in many ways. Solders used music to lift their spirits after they lost a friend on the battle field. The music was great because it was used to lift their spirits. The songs were usually inspirational marching tunes. A song called “Oh, you come from the battle-field?” shows how relieved friends and loved ones were to see that their solder came from the battle-field, because they were just so happy to see them alive. I can conclude that music after battle was important because they needed it to feel safe and have a moral high so that they will not freak out and end up with post traumatic stress disorder.

Music applied relief for solders that were missing home, while they were waiting back at camp. When the solders were waiting they would sing songs that reminded them of thier loved ones. Music was especcially important for the solders waiting back at camp, because they needed to enjoy the time that they had or else that was how they were going to spend their last moments, cold and miserable. "But memory waked by music's art, Expressed in simplest numbers, Subdued the sternest Yankee's heart, Made light the rebel's thunder." This is an excerpt from the song "Music in Camp" show's how music help the solders relax and almost forget about the war. This proves how solders needed music as an out let for their emotions, when they were waiting back at camp.

I can conclude that music was important in all different stages of the war. Before the battle solders needed it to keep in step. During the battle they needed it to recieve orders and other things. Also, after the battle was over the used it to lift their spirts. Finally, when the solders were waiting back at camp the needed music to relieve any stress that they had inside. So music was definately the MOST important part of the war in many times and many places.

Pictures ChrissyE09