Buglers in the Civil War

These heroic men, Union or Confederate were in large part the foundation of any camp during the Civil War. They would provide entertainment, alarm services for duties, and relayed calls during battle. Buglers were generally associated with cavalry and artillery, while drums were with the infantry.

Gustav Shurmann known as "The Little Bugler" rode with several commanders, one was Daniel Sickles…which if you have followed my blog, you know I have a fascination for this man.

Gustav was only 12 years old when he started riding in the war. Buglers would ride alongside the commanders in battle, it was thought since the sound of the bugle carried so well…it was the best source of organization during battle. During the heat of battle, you could still hear the bugles play above the cannons and guns.

The letters from Union Sergeant William A. Smith, mention the buglers regularly. After reading the letters, I felt the buglers were the glue holding the men together and helped them get through each day whether battle or at rest.

Smith's Letter dated February 15th, 1862 with location Cape Girardeau, Missouri

My Dear Wife
I once more take my pen to address you a few lines to let you know that I am still on times side of Eternity, enjoying good health and I believe a reasonable mind, hoping you and the children are in good health.
…A man cannot die in a better cause….The Captain goes to Cairo by the first boat, to get our carbines….
(and he ends his letter) …The bugle is sounding 8 o’clock roll call, so good night.

USS Constellation

USS Constellation, the last all sail warship built by the US Navy, is open to the public as a museum in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The USS Constellation Museum invites guests to discover life on board the only Civil War era vessel still afloat and explore the ship's maritime history.

I have been through this ship and it is facinating. It is well worth the time to tour through it and visit the harbor when in the area.

General Sickels

One of my favorite stories actually took place just prior to the Civil War. In 1859, a New York congressman, Daniel Sickles shot and killed Phillip Barton Key (son of Francis Scott Key) the US State Attorney for DC. Sickles discovered Key was carrying on an affair with his wife and shot him in Layfayette Square just north of the White House. Sickles was later acquitted based on a defense of temporary insanity (the first successful case in the US).

Sickles forgave his wife and stayed with her. The general public was very critical of the fact he did that. It didn’t matter that he took a prostitute to England on one of his junkets, even introducing her to the Queen.

During the war he was given the position of General and prior to the battle of Gettysburg, he moved his troop to higher ground , beyond the position he was ordered to hold. He lost most of his men and it is said he totally compromised the battle because he didn’t follow orders. He was also shot in the leg with a cannon ball. He gathered up the cannon ball and asked the doctors to keep the broken shin bone so he could donate it to a museum after the war (both are now in the Smithsonian Museum).

He would return to congress after the war.