The Newark Valley Historical Society is pleased to present David Cleutz, author and Civil War historian, and his program “Fields of Fame and Glory: Tioga County Heroes of the 137th NY Regiment in the Civil War.” Cleutz will give his entertaining presentation at the Newark Valley Depot on Saturday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m. An added highlight will be Civil War music performed by the versatile and skilled musician Ed Nizalowski.
Cleutz will tell the stories of the brave men from the valley of the Owego Creek – ordinary men who became heroes in helping to preserve their country’s Union, 150 years ago. Those were courageous men like Jesse Brink and Jacob Brockham of Owego, George Washington Strong of Candor, Ezra Williams of Berkshire, and Eugene Belden of Richford and Captain Oscar Williams of Newark Valley.
Captain Williams recruited and led Company G, 137th NY, and, along with hundreds of other brave men of Tioga County, gave his life to preserve the Union and, as a result, ensured the freedom of all the nation’s citizens.
Cleutz is the author of the regimental history of the 137th NY, “Fields of Fame and Glory,” and several other books on the Civil War. His research and writings have earned him the “Excellence in Promoting Local History Award by the Association of Public Historians of New York.”
Cleutz is a member of numerous historical societies in New York and Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Sons of Union Veterans. He lectures frequently in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has appeared a number of times on local radio and TV shows.
As for the music, music played a critical role in the Civil War (on both sides of the conflict).
The importance of music, musicians and performance should not be underestimated as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of a war that killed more Americans than even the wars of the 20th century.
In May of 1861, the U.S. War Department sanctioned that every regiment of infantry and artillery could have a brass band of 24 members. The Confederacy had similar goals, but this was more of a challenge because of fewer instruments in the South and fewer musicians. Brass was also in shorter supply in the South.
The bands provided a variety of functions. They were often used for recruitment drives to drum up enthusiasm for enlisting. Musicians provided an important and critical means of conveying orders and commands. Buglers needed to learn 49 separate calls for the infantry with even more for the cavalry. Drummers had to learn 39 different beats.
In camp many soldiers brought their own instruments. Banjos, fiddles, and guitars were quite popular. Bands from opposing camps might try to outdo each other at times. In several instances the final song would be “Home Sweet Home”, which both sides would cheer.
The importance of music can be gauged from the following quotes:
Union General Phillip Sheridan: “Music has done its share, more than its share, in winning this war.”
General Robert E. Lee: “I don’t think we could have a war without music”.
President Abraham Lincoln: “You have done more than a hundred generals and a thousand orators” [referring to George F. Root, who wrote over thirty songs about the Civil War]. “Dixie” was also one of Lincoln’s favorite songs.
Source unknown: “Music is the equivalent to a thousand men”.
Not everyone viewed their regiment’s band in a positive light. One Confederate soldier described the playing of his band “comparable to the braying of a pack of mules”.
To learn more about music of the American Civil War, visit www.americancivilwar.com/Civil_War_Music/civil_war_music.html.
(Jerry Marsh wrote portions of this story, with music references coming from the website above).
