Augusta County: "THE STONEWALL BRIGADE BAND," by J. A. Hiner, Staunton, Va., 1900
Summary: A short history of the Stone wall Brigade Band from its pre-war origins to its postwar fame.
The last meeting of the United Confederate Veterans surpassed all previous meetings in many respects, notwithstanding the almost incessant rainfall.
The most noteworthy and historic attraction of the great reunion at Louisville was the famous Stonewall Brigade Band, of Staunton, Va., which is comprised of thirty-eight handsome, athletic men. While there are but six of the original veteran members in active service, the others are all sons of veterans. It is not only the high degree of musical genius that makes this band celebrated, but the magic of its name, together with the glory which it has won from its organization down to the present day. This historic association was organized in 1855, under the name of the "Mountain Saxhorn Band," which name it retained until the commencement of the war between the States, at which time it was mustered in as the Fifth Virginia Regiment Band.
At the first engagement the Stonewall Brigade had with the enemy the band organized itself into a surgeon corps, and so faithfully and intelligently performed field and hospital duties that officers and men recognized the value of its services. In all subsequent battles the band's devoted ministrations were in requisition, and always promptly and faithfully rendered, which won for it the proud name of Stonewall Brigade Band, by an order of the immortal Christian soldier, Stonewall, read on dress parade at Camp Winder.
At Appomattox Gen. Grant issued an order to allow the members of the band to take their instruments home with them, which are now on exhibition in their band hall. These instruments are probably the only complete set in existence that were used during the entire civil war, and have attracted much attention in Northern cities. They were exhibited by the band during their engagement at the World's Columbian Exhibition, in Chicago, and at the Louisville Reunion.
The band occupied a post of honor at the funeral of Gen. Grant, in New York, and has attended nearly all the famous military and civic demonstrations in this country, being the only amateur band recognized by the authorities of the World's Columbian Exhibition.
This band was not only the pride of Gen. Jackson's Brigade, but each member was the personal friend of the General, and he earnestly desired its perpetuation. Only a few days before his death he expressed the wish that the Stonewall Brigade Band would continue to live through the succeeding generations of Confederate soldiers and their sons. Soon after his death the members of the band had a conference and decided that their great general's wishes shoudl be held sacred, and that the Stonewall Brigade Band should live.
This noteworthy company of musicians elicit the highest praises and encomiums wherever they go, and the rendition of national airs and Southern meoldies has won for them a world-wide fame as a patriotic band.
It was indeed a pathetic and touching scene to look upon the old veterans, ex-Federals as well as ex-Confederates, who crowded about the Stonewall Brigade Band to hear the soulful music of this grand organizations as they discoursed the patriotic melodies at the memorial exercises at Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville. In the eyes of many of these old veterans could be seen silent tears, because the impressive ceremonies brought back to them memories of friends who are no more.
The veterans were so delighted with the Stonewall Brigade Band that they said: "Surely we can never have another reunion without it."
The personnel of this band is above the average of musical aggregations. Their genteel deportment and manly bearing is so exemplified on all occasions that they are given ovations wherever they visit. The members of the band so ingratiated themselves into the good graces of the Louisville people that they were taken to the homes of some of the wealthiest citizens and banqueted in the most lavish style, and steps have already been taken by the management of the triennial conclave of the Knights Templars of 1901 to have Stonewall Brigade Band participate in the festivities of that notable gathering.
In this renowned musical organization the South feels pride. This band is proud of its locality, the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of old Virginia. That valley was trampled and defaced by the warring hosts who met there in mortal combat, yet after the surrender the members of the Stonewall Brigade Band returned to their desolated homes and took up the thread of life once more under the most adverse circumstances. Such men as have been members of this band are the true lifeblood of the country to which they belong. They elevate and uphold it, fortify and enable it, and shed a glory over it by the lives and characters which they bequeath.
This famous band will be thoroughly at home to the Grand Camp of Virginia Veterans, which will convene at Staunton October 10, 1900.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Confederate Veteran, Vol. 8, 1900, p. 304
