Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-08-26
Army Music.

Mr.. Lloyd Harris, Of st. Louis,
contributes the following from rather
extensive budget Of war papers al
ready published Many of the vet
Grams Of the Army of the Potomac re-
member the splendid band of the Four
teenth Brooklyn Zouaves. Wherever
they appeared in their gay uniform
and started one Of their inspiring
tunes the effect on all the colored SER
wants was electrical. One day while
we were encamped back of the Arl.
ington House our sable cook had
started with our coffee pot in his hand
from an open fire toward the tent
where Hooe and the Plummers and |
were waiting his arrival. Just at
that moment the Fourteenth band
struck up "Dixe" as they were pass
ing by, and away started the cook,
still holding the coffee pot. complete
ly entranced by the music, and never
stopped until the tune had ended and
he was half mile from the tent. On
his return he looked very foolish and
ventured: Captain, we never heerd
such music as dat in ole Virginny."
The same band, united with several
others, made a monster band at Nc.
Clellan's grand review 100 silver in
struments, thirty tenor and ten bass
drums, all under one leader, formed
the brightest feature of the grandest
review ever witnessed in this country.
On our way to Fredericksburg, in
1862, we had encamped for a day,
and late in the afternoon our atten-
ton was attracted by the music of
band in a grove only half mile
away, who kept playing one lively
air for so long time that some few
of us proposed to go over and see
what the fun was about. At this
time Fitzpatrick was Lieutenant.C Col
onel of the Harris Light Cavalry, af-
forwards called by prejudiced infantry
"Kilpatrick's thieves" When we
reached the grove very funny sight
greeted us. The band was still play
ing, but nearly exhausted. Xii.
patrick, elevated by standing on a
barrel-head, was shouting directions
to at least fifty darby men, women
and children, old and young. who
were dancing breakdown in the true
Virginia style, the sweat pouring off
from hem. The band leader appeal
ed to Fitzpatrick in behalf of his wind.
broken band, but in vain. "Kil"
shouted back, "Play till you wear the
darkies out" then yelled to the dar-
kies, keep it up, boys and girls, you
will beat that band sure"
Aye, there stood the man who was
afterward celebrated in history Gen.
Fitzpatrick, the raider, prompting the
most amusing dance ever witnessed.
No modern minstrel troupe has ever
equaled it. His officers were just as
busy as he was, and one of them pass
ed around the hat, to which the spec
tators responded literally, then, just
as the band blew a last and dismal
blast, Fitzpatrick threw the contents
of the hat among the cOntrabands.
Such a scene; down on all tours,
scrambling, pushing, shouting and
screaming, until the last piece had
been secured. Fitzpatrick came down
from the barrel, and in his ever genial
manner shook hands with us, saying
Gentlemen of the Sixth, am glad
to see you. You will excuse this lit
tie party, for it is not often that we
have such fun, and at the same time
give active employment to the contra
bands"
The Iron Brigade in crossing the
Rappahannock river to participate in
the battle of Fredericksburg were
hidden by dense fog from the enemy
and one Of the regiments, the Twen-
ty-fourth Michigan, who were to re-
ceive their first baptism under fire,
were marching in front of the old
Sixth veterans, colors flying, the band
playing "Hail Columbia, Happy
Land" when, alas the sun appeared,
the fog lifted, and the train guns Of
half dozen rebel batteries opened
their work of destruction. Almost
tho first she'll landed in the midst of
the band and scattered them right
and left. Those survived beat has
ty retreat to the sheltering bank Of
the river, and brave Col. Morrow
kept his gallant regiment "well in
hand" shouting, STEADY, men, those
Wisconsin men are watching you"
do not remember of ever seeing
that band in any of the hard.fought
battles their regiment afterwards par
ticipated inst Louis Republican.