Music played by Ewell's Corps

[33rdaladrummer]

'Then came the infantry, Ewell's celebrated corps, formerly commanded by Stonewall Jackson, full fifteen thousand strong, in three divisions, each regiment bearing the "Stars and Bars" or some regimental or State flag, and their bands, or drum corps discoursing "the Bonnie Blue Flag," "Dixie," or "The Marselaise." '

Valley Spirit: July 8, 1863

That's not much different from this description of Confederate field music, although one would think that they would have more band instruments in 1861 than 1863:

"The Southern stock of band instruments is nearly exhausted, so the fife rings changes on the martial airs of "Dixie Land" and the "Marseillaise," varied by Irish jigs; and the drum beats time to the march or parade."

The Illustrated London News, vol.39, no.1111, p.338 (5 October 1861)

[Horace]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Huh. Why the Marseillaise? It's catchy?

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Huh. Why the Marseillaise? It's catchy?

The lyrics were reworked to apply to the Confederate cause... and so they wouldn't be in French! ;)

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

“She bares her bosom to the storm: while she laughs to scorn the proud invader.”

Classic line from that tune

The opening is great to:

Vir-gin-ia...... hears the dreadful summons, sounding hoarsely from afar

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[Jubilo]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Huh. Why the Marseillaise? It's catchy?

Dear Sir,
Many Southrons considered Secession akin to a revolution and since "Yankee Doodle," seemed inappropriate, the next most romantic and sympathetic revolution was the French. Hence the French song of their revolution. In addition the French military influence was all the fad at the time (kepis, shelter tents ,zouaves, et.al.,), and there was French influence from Beauregard and the Gulf Coast. The celebrated Washington Artillery of New Orleans supposedly drilled while singing "La Marseillaise." The French language was familiar to the educated classes and all West Point attendees.
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Dear Sir,
Many Southrons considered Secession akin to a revolution and since "Yankee Doodle," seemed inappropriate, the next most romantic and sympathetic revolution was the French. Hence the French song of their revolution. In addition the French military influence was all the fad at the time (kepis, shelter tents ,zouaves, et.al.,), and there was French influence from Beauregard and the Gulf Coast. The celebrated Washington Artillery of New Orleans supposedly drilled while singing "La Marseillaise." The French language was familiar to the educated classes and all West Point attendees.
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

I have wondered how common it was for Confederates to play Yankee Doodle, fifers in particular. The only reference to it being played I have found was as a Rogue's March.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

I have wondered how common it was for Confederates to play Yankee Doodle, fifers in particular. The only reference to it being played I have found was as a Rogue's March.

Yankee Doodle is the tune of The Valiant Conscript, a satirical piece popular in the CS ranks.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Thanks, Mr. Rideout. But if a drum corps or brass band were playing that tune, would most Confederate soldiers think "they're playing The Valiant Conscript" or would they think "that's Yankee Doodle"?

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

"Yankee Doodle had a mind to whip them southern traders, because they did not choose to live on codfish an potatoes..."

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Thanks, Mr. Rideout. But if a drum corps or brass band were playing that tune, would most Confederate soldiers think "they're playing The Valiant Conscript" or would they think "that's Yankee Doodle"?

Yankee Doodle. Based on its origins, popularity and widespread distribution as a Rev War standard.

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

It's no wonder why people tried to write new lyrics to Yankee Doodle. But who knows if they succeeded in overcoming the association of Yankee Doodle with yankees?

'A few nights ago the orchestra of the Mobile theatre struck up "Yankee Doodle," when a general hiss from all parts of the house greeted the performers, which was persisted in until they were obliged to stop. They then commenced playing the "Southern Marsellaise," when the audience applauded vociferously. It appears, therefore, that "Yankee Doodle ain't the tune Mobilians delight in." '

Richmond Daily Dispatch: December 28, 1860.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

It's no wonder why people tried to write new lyrics to Yankee Doodle. But who knows if they succeeded in overcoming the association of Yankee Doodle with yankees?

If you look at the era and origins of Yankee Doodle, I am not certain "Yankee" as assigned in Yankee Doodle was necessarily identified by Southerners in the context of their septentrional adversaries of the ACW and used more so as in the Yanks standing up to the Crown.

Do you have something to indicate otherwise ?

CJ Rideout
Tampa, Florida

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Here are more references to Yankee Doodle. Make of them what you will.

The Daily Dispatch: December 28, 1860.

--Great excitement was caused in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, on Saturdaynight, by a party of men who hissed during the performance of the national airs, "Hail Columbia" and "Yankee Doodle." The men hissing were summarily ejected and quiet restored.

The Daily Dispatch: January 16, 1861.

On my safe arrival home I fully intended to write you instanter, but was prevented by the appearance of those imps into our town, who just walked in and took as quiet possession as if they had been born and bred in it. Of all cut throats, low-lived rascals, I think these take the lead. I knew I was bad before, but never once did I imagine that hatred, malice and murder could take such complete dominion of me, as when I, day after day, witnessed the pollution of our Virginia soil by the foot-prints of these Goths and Vandals. Our houses searched, citizens arrested, and one of Lincoln's detachments from the infernal regions forever marching under our eyes; and, withal, the Federal flag waving over the public buildings, while Yankee Doodle is being played incessantly. It is enough to drive one crazy.

The Daily Dispatch: June 18, 1861.

a happy Christmas — the Rogue's March Superseded by Yankee Doodle.

Camp of 12th Mississippi Regiment, Christmas Day, 1861.

A happy Christmas, from a quiet line of the army, I cordially send you, Gen. McClellan has no idea of taking Christmas cheer, down on this little old stream called Bull Run. We are all sorry for that; while, with creamy bowl of egg-nogg, we soldiers drink permanency to the young Confederacy, and good health to our glorious President.

The only new thing of note, is a custom just adopted in the army. When a worthless soldier is "drummed out," it is done to the tune of Yankee-Doodle, instead of the Rogue's March, as was the custom. The new custom arose from the fact, that more rogues march any day, now-a-days, to the tune of Yankee-Doodle, than have marched in all time, to the Rogue's March. The custom arose from a suggestion of Col. Harry Haze, of the 7th Louisiana regiment, and does that gentleman credit as an observer of events.

Yours, Claiborne

DAILY CONSTITUTIONALIST [AUGUSTA, GA], August 2, 1861, p. 2, c. 2-3

When Yankee Doodle was first hissed, and the Marsellaise applauded, there was deep significance in the fact. The old loyalty to the Union having long survived the protection which was its legitimate nutriment, was dead at last. No such loyalty remains. This very flag is the symbol of its final extinction. Not only do we owe no loyalty to the old Government, but we owe it resistance. It has declared war against us—a bitter war of subjugation. And yet we must endeavor to the loyalty of the people still to the “stars and stripes”—and fight at the same moment under them and against them.

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 13, 1863, p. 1, c. 3
Among many instances of petty tyranny, that of the schools in New Orleans bears the palm. After issuing an order that all theatres, concerts and exhibitions, the tunes of the Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia and Yankee Doodle, should be played, the officer in command issued a special order that these tunes should be sung by the children in each school in the city, every day. Numbers of persons took their children from school and taught them at home. The miserable tyrants then arrested all the private teachers, governesses and ladies, and imprisoned them until they swore allegiance, and to teach the children to sing Yankee Doodle.

[Horace]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

All,
Glad I asked about the Marsellaise. This is illuminating. I had a hunch it might be tied to the spirit of revolution, with the thorny problem of now being in revolt against the original revolters meaning that any American revolution songs wouldn't fit. Plus...it's catchy.

[OldKingCrow]

Re: Music played by Ewell's Corps

Will good stuff...thanks !

I can sure see a Southerner hating such a tune or other cultural norms of their enemy !!!!

My post about the connection with the Crown was based on the lyrical content and evolution from the Rev War era and seems thus far lacking a "re-pen" be ACW conflict specific.


CJ Rideout