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| No, I'm not that old; but the band of the
8th Pennsylvania Cavalry still exists. The Repasz Band of
Williamsport, Pennsylvania has had many changes in personnel during its
long life, as well as several temporarily assumed names, such as the Band
of the 11th Pennsylvania and the Band of the 29th Pennsylvania. It
also served with the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War.1 |
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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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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. |
