Norwich bulletin., 1913-03-11
THIRD REGIMENT BAND
 ORGANIZED Al YEARS AGO.
Had Six Norwich Names in the Mem
 bership

There are five New Londoners who have good reason for recalling the fact that it was 41 years this month that the Third Regiment band for so long a time the cnly musical organization of its kind in that city. was enlisted in the service of the state. They are: Edward A. Colby. Norman w Daboll J. Ira Benharn Ferdinand Douglass and w. Potter Brown, the survivors of the original band that was mus cred into the service, says the New Londn Day
 The Third Regiment band had it's start in the organization of a band .-nder the leadership of Thomas Swan in the summer of 1s6S- There wasn't much demand for band music at that time and it was soon out of exist enee. The musicians, however. didn't started the New London band, having their headquarters in the old Holt building, wl.ich stood on the Parade, before the Union passenger station was erected.
 F. D. Moi gan, who had been leader of the Third Regiment band in Nor wich, whose home was in Providence, but who came to New London every week to sing in the choir of the Sec ond Congreg ational church, was se- lected to have charge of the instruc- tion of the band.
 The plan was to have instruction from until II o'clock every Satur- day evening but the leader was not
 
 the duties. and the care of the band devolved in 3. very large degree on Edward A. Colby.
 Went Into State Service.
 Information was received by the musicians. through an official of the Third regiment that the regiment al band, tfen located at Norwich. was not fCurishfng and was not up to the standard prescribed by the state for such organization. They at once started out to have the band trans ferred to New London. A commit tee interviewed Col. N. H. Ames the subject and the result was an in vitatfon to give an exhibition of the organization g musical abilities on March 13, 1872. There was nothing unluczy about that 13, for on March 30 the members of the band were en- listed. It as agreed to take the re- maining members of the old Norwich band, and trat added the following to the members hip: John P. Miller, Her bert T. Miller J. Herbert George, I eomans, until their enlistments ex- pired
 One Great Day.
 May l. 1872, was a great day for the band. That was the first time that it appeared in parade with the whole regiment, the occasion being the inau- guration of Governor Marshall Jewell at New Haven. That was the only time that the Norwich men played with the band. they being dropped from the roll and replaced by local musi- clans befor the band went into camp in September that year, on the lot now occupied by the residence of Colonel Tyler.
 The Third regiment band took part in many important celebrations, be- sides performing the duties that de- voIved upor it as a National Guard Among the notable The Masonic parade in New York in 1875. Ten eays at the Centennial en- at Philadelphia in 1876. Battle Flag day at Hartford in 1879. GrCton Heights centennial celebration in 1881. Dedication of Soldiers monu- ment at Mo 5son, Mass. Dedication of Soldiers monument at New Haven. Dedication of Putnam memorial at Brooklyn. this state. Evacuation day in New York. Inauguration of Presi- dent Harrison in Washington in 1888.
 Led Band for 20 Years
 Edward A. Colby was leader of the band for 20 years. F. D. Morgan, the first leader filled the office for four years, and vas followed by John c. Moore, who served one year. A. c. Lippitt also was leader for single year
 =; When Edward A. Colby resigned the leaders hip of the band after a sccre of years of faithful service, Samuel w. Mallory was chosen leader. He was followed by Eugene L. Bailey. The later troubles of the band and it's final disrul ton are matters with which most people are familiar.