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April 9, 1865 - at the Appomattox courthouse in
Virginia. General Grant is seen riding up to General Philip Sheridan.
"Is General Lee waiting up there in that farmhouse?" asks Grant. "Yes
sir," replies Sheridan. "Then, let's go," says Grant. As
General Sheridan swings into the saddle and joins Grant on the ride to Wilmer McLean's
house, a nearby Union Army Band is playing "Auld Lang Syne." I was a
member of that Band. |
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| In the era of the citizen soldier, most of the military bands of the
United States Army were actually civilian bands whose members enlisted as a group.1 At the outbreak of the Civil War, the Military companies
of Williamsport volunteered for three-months' service and became part of the 11th
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. [Note: In early July 2007,
members of a newly formed Civil War re-enactment unit - the 11th Pa. Regiment Brass Band
- contacted us. Please visit their website for more information on
this era of American history.] They were ordered to rendezvous at Camp Curtin,
near Harrisburg, where they completely organized into a regiment April 26,
1861. Accompanying these three companies into service was the Repasz Band, which
became the regimental band and served the entire three-months' service. . . .2 The band did not return to the 11th Regiment at its
reorganization into a three-year unit, but remained at home in Williamsport until
September 2, 1861, when it was again mustered into service with the 29th Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers. The band served with this unit until its muster out on
July 19, 1862.2
Just how long the band remained a civilian organization before it became part of the
8th Cavalry, 89th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers is uncertain. At this period of
time bands were no longer enlisted as organizations; however, the men enlisted in various
companies and were assigned to duty as musicians. It was under an arrangement of
this character that the Repasz Band entered the service with the 8th Pennsylvania
Cavalry. Because of this there is no actual band roster for the mounted service, but
an examination of the rolls for the regiment discloses some names easily recognized, such
as the Repasz's and Hamilton's.2
At the surrender of General Lee to General Grant at Appomattox, the Band was involved
in a "duel" against a Confederate Army band. When Lee came out of the
meeting, the Confederate band struck up "Dixie." The Repasz Band played
the "Star Spangled Banner" at the appearance of General Ulysses S. Grant.
The Confederate band next offered "The Bonnie Blue Flag," followed by the Repasz
Band playing the "Battle Cry of Freedom." Then, according to Band
Historian Earl Williams, the Confederates again played "Dixie" and the whole
sequence started over.1 The band serenaded
General Gregg at Petersburg after the surrender and participated in all the
excitement of the closing scenes of that last campaign. It is recorded that upon the
occasion of the serenade to General Gregg, the General set out a pail full of apple jack
and a dipper - thus ended any further serenading for at least 24 hours.2,3
After the war the Band used the Lycoming Opera House as a repository for all of their
mementos of the war, including flags. No known listing of the relics has been
uncovered and all of the Civil War items and the Band's music and instruments were
destroyed in the conflagration which obliterated the old opera house."2
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1 Gene Bardo, "The Legacy of the Repasz Band," The
Instrumentalist, January 1983.2 Robert Ulrich,
"The Civil War: Those Who Served - Lycoming County in the Civil War," part
of an unpublished paper; presented as part of the opening/dedication of an exhibit of Reno
Post Civil War memorabilia by the Lycoming County Historical Society and Museum in 1998
To return to the Band's History page, click here. |