The Letters of James H. George: A Union Musician during the American Civil War

Abstract

The American Civil War was one of the most deeply felt tragedies in the history of the United States, and music was so intimately involved with the events of this time that it became a part of those events. All the historian need do is to look at the lyrics of songs popular at any given time during the War to realize the real attitudes and feelings of those involved. The songs were concerned with the entire range of human emotion—antislavery songs, political rallying songs, songs about heroes and political leaders, battle and campaign-inspired songs, songs about the soldier's life in camp and particularly songs about the heartache and emotional tragedies of the War. The Huntington Library in San Marino, California, holds a magnificent Americana collection of music manuscripts, printed scores and other materials relating to popular music during this period. Among its holdings are a number of Civil War era songs in the Walther Updike Lewisson Collection, as well as letters from the composer Stephen Foster to Edwin Christy (the leader of Christy's Minstrels, one of the foremost minstrel troupes in America at mid century). In addition, the Collection includes a fascinating series of letters by James Herbert George, a musician in the North's Union Army. There are 75 letters in all, begun in 1862 when the 19-year-old was writing to his parents, his brother and one girl back home, and ending in 1865 when he describes the celebrations at War's end. The letters are wonderfully detailed, capturing the images and moods of the period with much emotion and intensity. In 1864, George was promoted in charge of the musicians. From this point onward in particular, the letters provide a wealth of information regarding the everyday life of a Civil War musician—from the price of a decent cornet to the favourite song of the 10th Vermont Regiment. This essay examines the James Herbert George correspondence and seeks to provide a colourful insight into a most interesting period in North American history and the music popular during the time.