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Music Header- Civil War Museum

Home » Explore » Selected Bibliographies » Primary Sources: Music in the Civil War

Music in the Civil War

“All history proves that music is as indispensable to warfare as money; and money has been called the sinews of war. Music is the soul of Mars….”

The New York Herald,  1862

“When soldiers North and South marched off to war, they took with them a love of song that transcended the political and philosophical divide between them.  Music passed the time; it entertained and comforted; it brought back memories of home and family; it strengthened the bonds between comrades and helped to forge new ones. And, in the case of the Confederacy, it helped create the sense of national identity and unity so necessary to a fledgling nation.

Bernard writes, “In camp and hospital they sang — sentimental songs and ballads, comic songs and patriotic numbers….The songs were better than rations or medicine.” By Bernard’s count, “…during the first year [of the war] alone, an estimated two thousand compositions were produced, and by the end of the war more music had been created, played, and sung than during all our other wars combined. More of the music of the era has endured than from any other period in our history.””  – Civil War Trust


Learn more about music in the Civil War

Violin Player- Civil War Museum History

Songs of the North

More

Songs of the South

More
Musicians relaxing in camp. Image courtesy of the LOC

Songs for All Soldiers

More

Songs from Slavery

More

Songs for Pacifists

More
Jeff in Petticoats- Civil War Medicine Museum

Songs after the War

More

More Resources

More

This is by no means an exhaustive list of music during the Civil War. There’s always more to discover.


Can’t get enough of Civil War music?

Check out Saturday Night Live’s take on Civil War music

Inspired by Clara Barton, musicians perform beloved Civil War music and original songs about the Civil War. Listen to their concert.

Wondering where that song from Ken Burns’ The Civil War is? It’s not actually a Civil War song. Learn More

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