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Dear Friends,
This discussion on bagpipes was moved from military discussion to the Homefront, as it contains some interesting information for the citizenry. It is being edited to preserve the civilian content. Any comments removed do not constitute a sanction from the moderators, but rather indicate that the content was not relevant to civilian use of bagpipes in the mid-century.
Regards,
Elizabeth Clark
Homefront Co-Moderator
In my recent readings I found this (presumably Christmas Day 1861) and though this may contribute:
"Seated near the fire was Johnny Flaherty, discoursing sweet music from his violin. Johnny hailed from Boston;was a musical genius,in his way, and though only 14 years of age,could play on the bagpipes,piano, and Heaven knows how many other instruments: beside him sat his father, fingering the chanters of a bagpipe in elegant stye. It is no wonder the that most of the regiment was gathered around there, for it was Christmas Eve, and home thoughts and home longings were crowding on the;....."
From pp77-78 Chapter 3 The Irish Brigade and Its Campaigns by Capt. David Power Conyngham first published 1867, recently published 1994 Fordham U. Press edited L.F. Kohl
In my winter 2003-04 readings of the Irish Brigade (mostly first hand accounts) I have found no evidence of "bagpipes" being used in any offical capacity ie dress parade, battle or even a funeral. The above account is the first one I have read. There is no evidence, even anecdotal, that would support the use of a bagpipe in a troop formation. However this account suggests the bagpipe may have occasionally been used around a camp fire on a special occasion in the AOP by soldiers of Celtic heritage.
Frank Lilley
28th Mass Vol. Co. K
This discussion on bagpipes was moved from military discussion to the Homefront, as it contains some interesting information for the citizenry. It is being edited to preserve the civilian content. Any comments removed do not constitute a sanction from the moderators, but rather indicate that the content was not relevant to civilian use of bagpipes in the mid-century.
Regards,
Elizabeth Clark
Homefront Co-Moderator
In my recent readings I found this (presumably Christmas Day 1861) and though this may contribute:
"Seated near the fire was Johnny Flaherty, discoursing sweet music from his violin. Johnny hailed from Boston;was a musical genius,in his way, and though only 14 years of age,could play on the bagpipes,piano, and Heaven knows how many other instruments: beside him sat his father, fingering the chanters of a bagpipe in elegant stye. It is no wonder the that most of the regiment was gathered around there, for it was Christmas Eve, and home thoughts and home longings were crowding on the;....."
From pp77-78 Chapter 3 The Irish Brigade and Its Campaigns by Capt. David Power Conyngham first published 1867, recently published 1994 Fordham U. Press edited L.F. Kohl
In my winter 2003-04 readings of the Irish Brigade (mostly first hand accounts) I have found no evidence of "bagpipes" being used in any offical capacity ie dress parade, battle or even a funeral. The above account is the first one I have read. There is no evidence, even anecdotal, that would support the use of a bagpipe in a troop formation. However this account suggests the bagpipe may have occasionally been used around a camp fire on a special occasion in the AOP by soldiers of Celtic heritage.
Frank Lilley
28th Mass Vol. Co. K
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