The National tribune., 1902-07-10
A GREAT FEATURE.
Two Hundred Veteran Fifers, rrummers and
Buglers to Play in the Great Parade.

have organized themselves into what is
styled The National Association of Civil
War Musicians' We are the musical
auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Re
public. being composed exclusively of
Grand Army men who served as drum
mers. fifers, or buglers. and We're dis
charged as such: and are. therefore. dis
tinctively and emphatically the Grand
Army Band.
The drum, fife. and buglc fill the mar
tial measure and stir the patriotic impulse
as no other music can. These instruments
played by any one please and Charm the
old veterans; but when played by the
'poys" who cheered their weary spirits
on the toisome march an1 stirred their
s'uls in camp and field, the old soldier.
though feeble and gray, feels anew the
spirit of youth and battle. His step is
quickened: he circles around in joyful
darce, and shouts aloud il ;;lcGful enthu-
Siasm.
The cornet band with its elaborate and
classic music charms the multitude and
stiis the people with its harmony and
symphony; but the drum, fife, and bugle
are distinctively the musical Instruments
Of war, at least such was true throughout
the greatest of modern wars. Cornet
bands which went to the front with their
regiments early in that conflict were soon
discharged and sent away: but drum, fife
anu puSit every anu Ddttlt-
line until the last gun was fired. Yankee
Doodle Marching Through Georgia"
the Girl l Left Behind Me-" Get Out
Of the Wilderness" Rally Round the
Flag" etc, never lost their charm and
they are today sacredly enshrined in the
reminiscent soul of every old blue-coat.
We are coming, boys, to inspire your
souls again. We are not ashamed of you,
nor will you be ashamed of our music.
We want to lead you once more. We
naturally, patriotically, and from force of
youthful habit, desire to take our place
on the right of the line. We are the
Grand Army Band, and ask no pay for
our services, excepting the esteem of our
comrades.
We shall be on hand early, from 100 to
200 strong, uniformed and full of en-
thusiasm and old-time martial music.
Some of lis will have the same musical
instruments we carried through the war.
We shall work hard all the week of En-
campment, making music everywhere; and
on the day of the Grand Parade we eX-
pect and rightfuly ask the honor to lead
rs in days of yore.-JoHN X. WEATHERs,
Treasurer, National Association of Civil
War Musicians, Box 2j2, Station q,
Washington, ID. G..
Who Was she7
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: An
through the Winter and Spring after the
battle of Fredericksburg we had a picket
line extending across the country, begin
ming at the north fork of the Rappahan-
mock River and running about northeast.
That part of the line that we picketed
was on the edge of some heavy timber.
our line being just inside of this timber
and facing about east.
In front of this line was an open space,
probably 30 yards wide, and beyond it ran
a low ridge that had but few bushes ON it.
An advance post was kept on top of
drawn at night, and this day / had this
advance post. Beyond this ridge, still
farther to the front, was an open space
covered with long, dry grass, and beyond
it, as far as l could see, the country was
covered with small bushes and second
growth pines, with openings between them.
L was standing on post one afternoon
about o'clock, with my gun resting on
the ground between my feet, and my arms
resting on the top of the barrel, when
boy about 16 years old rode out from be,
tween those pines right in my front.
Jerked my gun up to ready" and
threw up the hammer, and the boy
stopped and raised his right hand.
Come on in,' | ordered, but keep your
hands to the front"
He rode over to me slowly now and
and asked, Can L go ON through sir?
want to go to Gen. Gregg's headquarters
Gregg was cavalry General, and had
headquarters in rear of this somewhere;
did not know then just where.
NO" | told the boy, 81 can't pass you
in, but III have you passed in and call
ing out Corporal Of the Guard, Advance
post" the sentry in rear of me repeated it.
While waiting for the Corporal | stood
Sind yuO tbic how do
mind about him. He had a nearly new
suit of gray home-spun that was a neat
mt; he had his coat buttoned up clear to
his chin, although it was a warm after
noon, and the collar of his coat was turned
up, covering his neck behind, and a gray
soft hat was pulled down over his eyes.
He rode a goOd-looking bay horse, with
white blaze running down his face.
thought struck me now, and going up
close to the boy, raised up the skirts of
his coat and, looking under them, said: -
only want to see if you have any arms on
you. We are obliged to be careful here"
This was only an excuse. / did not care
how many arms he might have. | had all |
needed, and could use them as quickly as
he could, if necessary, but | wanted to get
close to him and try if | could not see the |
hair at the back of his head, but he had |
that coat collar pulled clear up until it |
met his hat.
The Corporal came out now, and on my |
telling him what we wanted, said, 81 can't |
pass him in; hold him here until bring |
out the Lieutenant" and going back, he |
sent out our Second Lieutenant, who began |
to question the boy, l at the same time |
falling back so as not to hear what was |
said.
AT last the Lieutenant said. 81 think We |
may let him in; he seems to be all right, |
Brooks"
wait moment" said l. Come here:
want to speak to you"
The Lieutenant came to me and | asked |
DO you see nothing wrong about that boy. |
sir?'
"No, don't; do you?'
"Yes, sir; he is no boy at all; he is a |
or she is, rather.'
"Do you think so?"
81 know it; go back now and take hold |
)f those coat tails to see if he has n belt |
and pistol, then look at his face closely"
The Lieutenant did so, then said: 81
am sorry, but I'll have to send a guard |
along with you to Gen. Gregg; just wal, |
here a moment" and the Lieutenant start
ed after the guard.
You might let me go on in, sir" the |
boy. or woman, if she was one, said. Gen.
Gregg knows me; it will be all right"
Il dare not let yOn CO." ! told her. 81
would be tried and shot if l did. You
must wait for that guard"
"Oh, | would rather go back again than |
do that" she said, with n quick jerk of |
her head that only woman could give
well, you won't go back; stop right |