A Weekend at The National Civil War Field Music School

This past weekend, I attended the National Civil War Field Music School at Pamplin Park in Petersburg Virginia. The event was hosted by the National Association For Civil War Brass Music. The event began on Friday at seven with an introduction meeting when we all were greeted by the school staff. After dinner, all of the musicians gathered around the Hart Barn to play some music and get to know one another. We played tunes like Newport, Hell on the Wabash, Frog in the Well, and Old Dan Tucker that night before we went to bed.

The infantry camp near the Hart Farm.

That weekend, we stayed in Pamplin's winter quarters on the original site of the Breakthrough at Petersburg. The school was intended to represent a school such as the school at Governor's Island in New York. The quarters had the appearance of garrison quarters such as the ones at the original field music schools and training camps. There was no requirement for a Union or Confederate impression, so there was a little of both represented. There were seperate infantry and field music camps. The field music was camped in the winter quarters and the infantry was camped around the Hart Farm yard and the Hart Barn. Altogether, the site was period correct as far as the eye could see.

Me leaving camp on Sunday.

Bright and early on Saturday morning, the fife and drum instructors beat reville. There was a series of grunts and groans from all over camp, but we all got up, got dresed, and got ready for the first day. The duty drummer for the day beat assembly shortly after and we all assembled for morning parade and roll call on the parade ground, which was adjacent to the infantry camp at the Hart Farm. We assembled by companies, which were determined by instruments (drums, fifes, bugles) and had our morning announcements from the millitary commander, Doug Dobbs, and the music director, Jari Villanueva. We were dismissed from the parade and returned to camp, where our quarters were inspected and morning fatigue duties were performed.

The next call was Peas Upon A Trencher, which signaled that is was time for breakfast. Civilian volounteers were present all weekend, cooking good period-style meals for the participants.

The field musicians marching to dress parade.

Shortly after breakfast, it was time for instruction. The buglers played school call, and we divided up into groups, each with an instructor, to go into the woods and recieve instruction. We learned new material while standing near the original Confederate earthworks from 1864.

We had more instruction on Saturday afternoon. The dress parade scheduled for that evening was cancelled to to an impending thunder storm, so we played a game of rounders on the parade ground. Everyone enjoyed this very much until the storm clouds rolled in and chased us away. We returned to the barracks that night and slept with the patter of rain and the roar of thunder outside. During the entire weekend, the infantry participants stood guard duty around camp. Even during the storm, they were present, standing outside wrapped in gum blankets and ponchos.

On Sunday morning, we had parade, breakfast, and a period church service. We were given the option of going to church or attending a reading of the Articles of War at the adjudent's tent. Needless to say, most of us attended the church service. The 26th North Carolina Band was present for the entire weekend and they provided beautiful brass music for the church service. It was a good 19th century Lutheran service under a large dining fly in camp. Afterwards, we had another school period. After dinner, we had a dress parade that was open to spectators at 1:00. The parade went very well. The fifes and drums played Downfall of Paris, Battle Hymn of the Republic (aka. John Brown's Body), and a few other tunes. The band played the Star Spangled Banner, Dixie, and the Bonnie Blue Flag. The buglers then demonstrated what they had learned over the weekend and we were dismissed for the weekend.

All in all, it was an enjoyable and authentic weekend. I will definately be there again next year.

Comments

[Sandy]

The pictures are awesome! Such a beautiful spot.

[Doug Dobbs]

Great blog you've got here, Will. I'm so pleased you had a good time and learned a thing or two to boot. I'll look forward to seeing you again next year! If you live anywhere near the Sixth Corps March, come out and cheer the boys along the way. :)

www.dougdobbs.com

Doug Dobbs, Bvt. Major
National Civil War Field Music School
Commanding

[william]

Thank you very much! I am looking forward to next year.

-William

[Stephan Southard]

William,
You did a fine job over the weekend. I am very impressed at your authenticity and attitude.
See you on the field.

[william]

Thanks! I had a great time.