62d Pennsylvania Volunteers an American Civil War Infantry Regiment Regimental Band and Company Musicians

Musicians

At the time regiments were first being formed after the outbreak of the Civil War, U.S. Army regulations authorized regiments to form bands of up to 16 musicians. Typically bandmembers played brass and percussion instruments. In addition to the regimental bands, each company in the regiment was authorized to enlist two musicians. These musicians played fife and drum and bugle. 

William Withers, Jr., and the Regimental Band

There is little record of a regimental band attached to the 62d. When regiments were forming at the beginning of the war, each was required to have one. The musicians were specifically non-combatants, and their primary duty of the regimental band was to provide music during marches and ceremonies. Especially early in the war and for regiments stationed in defense of cities, they often traveled apart from their regiments to play concerts and serenades. The regimental band, made up mostly of brass instruments, was distinct from the field musicians who were, ideally, a drummer and fifer from each company plus a bugler. The regimental band was a real marching band, in that they accompanied the regiment as it marched to and from battle. The band could be employed by the commanding officer to coordinate field maneuvers. During a battle, both field musicians and regimental band members formed the ambulance corps, and under command of the surgeon served as stretcher bearers and tended to the wounded.

 

Thanks to the research of John Bieniarz of the 12th NHV Serenade Band, some information about the 62d's regimental band has come to light. William Withers, Jr., bandmaster, and the former 12th N.G.S.N.Y. regimental band entered into service as the bandmaster of the 62d while the regiment was stationed around Washington, DC. In the band were Withers' father and several brothers. They were available because their previous regiment was a three months national guard unit that had just mustered out. Before the war, the band had been well established in New York State as Withers Brass Band. While in the Washington, DC, areas they honored their New York State origins with the name the Withers Excelsior Band. In mid-1861, when the 62d was forming, competition to enlist regimental bands had become fierce. Colonels vied with each other to secure the services of good bands for their regiments, and it is quite possible that Colonel Black outbid other regiments for the Withers band. If or why there was no regimental band attached to the 62d before they reached Washington is not known. The Pittsburgh area was rich in brass bands.

 

One member of the band was a volunteer from Company E. Hugh Fackender mustered in as a corporal, but in either March or April 1862, probably in early March when the regiment was still stationed outside of Washington, D.C., Fackender was detached as a 3d Class Musician in the "Brass Band." He held the ranks of Corporal and 3d Class Musician. In the July & August 1862 Field Staff & Band Muster Roll, there was the note for Fackender: "Return to Company by order of War Dept." When he rejoined his company, he was listed as a Musician, must likely a bugler. It was as a private, however, that he was killed in action at Bethesda Church, Virginia, on 3 June 1864.

 

By 1862, as the realities of war had set in, both militarily and economically, the act that authorized each regiment of volunteers to have 24 musicians for a band was repealed. Regimental bands were abolished through War Department General Order No. 91, but for some reason, several contemporary sources also refer to General Order No. 151. In their stead, brigades were authorized to have 16 musicians as a band. Most regimental bands mustered out as a whole, and only in cases where band members had also enlisted in a company, such as Hugh Fackender, did they remain in the regiment. Although many regimental bands continued in an unofficial capacity, paid for by the officers or other benefactors, not by the government, there is no evidence that the Withers or any other band members except Fackender remained with the 62d. After 1862, the company musicians continued as each regiment's fife and drum corps.

 

William Withers, Jr., became famous for one thing later in the war. He was the orchestra leader at Ford's Theater the night Lincoln was shot. When Withers chased after the assassin, John Wilkes Booth turned and stabbed at Withers, cutting two large gashes in his coat.

Regimental Band Roster

This roster appears in Ancestry Library Edition's Civil War Service Records, based on "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line].

William Withers, Jr.	Band Leader
William Withers, Sr.	Principal Musician
William F. English	1 Cl. Musician
August Newman	1 Cl. Musician
Joseph Withers	1 Cl. Musician
Reuben Withers	1 Cl. Musician
Charles Eichele	2 Cl. Musician
John Eichele	2 Cl. Musician
Peter Eichele	2 Cl. Musician
Francis Withers	2 Cl. Musician
William Stephens (or Stevens)	3 Cl. Musician

Company Musicians

Unlike the Regimental Band, the field musicians -- buglars, fifers, and drummers -- were integral to each company. Following regulations, each company should have had a drummer and a fifer. Bates, however, indicated only sixteen musicians on the muster out rolls and none from Companies D, E, and H. I believe this due to the fact that many musicians had become combatants before the end of their service, mostly as privates, but in a few cases as officers. I was surprised to see how few mustered out with the regiment, even though none were listed as killed in action. The list below is still incomplete. I have long heard of drummer boys who were underaged lads unable to enlist as soldiers, but the company musicians of the 62d ranged widely in age. However, most do appear to be short in stature.

All mustered into service in July or August 1861 (dates vary slightly by Company), except where noted.

John A. Irwin	Company A	Not on muster-out roll. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 17; Occupation: Gardner; Residence: (Born) Allegheny, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'; Remarks: Rolls show last name as Irvine [Irvine is crossed out in ink].
John R. Cowling	Company A	Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Mustered in as Drummer; mustered out as Private, according to "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]." Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age: 19; Occupation: Mason; Residence: (Born ) Allegheny Co.; Hair: Black; Eyes: Gray; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'3 1/2" Remarks: Rolls show last name as Cowling. Listed as John R. Crowling in Bates. Listed as John K. Cowling in "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]."
Conrad Dittmere	Company B	Mustered in 12 September 1861 at Fort Corcoran, Va. Deserted, date unknown Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age: 14; Occupation: Tending Boy; Residence: Birmingham, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5' Memoirs of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania : personal and genealogical, with portraits. (Madison, Wis.: Northwestern Historical Association, 1904) notes that Conrad Dittmer was a "prominent merchant tailor of McKeesport."
Lewis Coursin	Company C	Mustered in 25 July 1861. Discharged for disability, 9 February 1863. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age: 25; Occupation: Carpenter; Residence: Clarion Co.; Hair: Red; Eyes: Brown; Complexion: Fair; Height: 6'1" Remarks: Pr. to Musc., (date unknown). Not on M.O.. Roll. Bates). A fifer according to the "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]."
James Low	Company C	Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age: 16; Occupation: Laborer; Residence: (Born ) Clarion Co.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Brown; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'5" Remarks: Pr. to Musc. (date unknown). Mustered in as Drummer; mustered out as Private, according to "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]."
Robert Sutton	Company D	Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: M.I: As Mus.; Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Boatman; Residence: Armstrong Co.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5' 5 1/2" Mustered in as Musician; mustered out as a Private, according to the "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]."
John M. Watson	Company D	Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: M.I: As Mus.; Age at Enrollment: 21; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Indiana Co.; Hair: Black; Eyes: Black; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'10" Mustered in as Musician; mustered out as a Private, according to the "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]."
John L. Cribbs	Company E	Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 19; Occupation: Borer; Residence: Clarion Co.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Brown; Complexion: Light; Height: 5' 10" Remarks: Pr. Musc. (date unknown) Originally served as musician; became a private in July 1863 (possibly during the Battle at Gettysburg). Sick with Malarial Fever in Camp in the vicinity Falls Church VA, 26 September 1861 to early winter 1861; treated by Regimental Surgeon. Among other jobs after the war, Cribbs worked on an oil crew in Oil Creek, Pa., and ran for a seat on the assembly of New Bethlehem Borough in 1906. Cribbs married Crissie Mohney, who was likely a cousin or other relative of many of the Mohneys who served in Company E. John died on 28[?] April 1911. Further information and portraits of John L. Cribbs and his family, including one of him visiting Devil's Den, are available online courtesy of his great great granddaughter, Donna Cribbs Messenger.
Richard Cooper	Company F	Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, 25 July 1863. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 24; Occupation: Coach Maker; Residence: Beaver Co.; Hair: Sandy; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'10 1/2 "
Benjamin Barker	Company F	Discharged by order of War Department, 2 October 1862.
John Bryan	Company G	Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, 11 November1861.
Charles Hill	Company G	Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, 3 March 1862.
William H. Conner	Company H	Mustered in as Drummer, according to "United States National Archives. Civil War Service Records [database on-line]." Mustered in as private, according to Bates and CWVCF. Promoted to Corporal December 25, 1862. Wounded at Gettysburg, 2 July 1863. Killed at Cold Harbor 3 June 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 25; Occupation: Laborer; Residence: Allegheny, Pa.; Hair: Black; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Dark; Height: 5'8" Member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park.
John P. Hultz	Company H	Mustered in as musician, according to CWVCF. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 23; Occupation: Farmer; Residence: Allegheny Co.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Grey; Complexion: Fair; Height: 5'8 3/4" Member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park.
Thomas H. Lynch	Company H	Mustered in as private, according to Bates and CWVCF. Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Possibly captured at Gainseville, 27 June 1862, as evidenced by Private W. H. Lynch being listed on register of Prisoners Received at C. S. Prison [Richmond?] on June 27th and 29th, 1862. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 26; Occupation: Miner; Residence: Allegheny Co.; Hair: Sandy; Eyes: Grey; Complexion: Fair; Height: 6' 1/2" Gravestone in Anne Ashley cemetery, Munhall, Pa., where he is buried, indicates he served as Musician and Private. Born 1834. Died 4 August 1905.
William R. Depp	Company I	Mustered out with company, 13 July 1864. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 26; Occupation: Carpenter; Residence: Punxsutawney, Pa.; Hair: Dark; Eyes: Dark; Complexion: Light; Height: 5' 10" Died 27 July 1898, according to Proceedings of the 31st Annual Encampment of the Department of Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic (Wilkes-Barre, 1899), where he is listed as a private.
John Ready	Company I	Absent in hospital at muster out. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 23; Occupation: Blacksmith; Residence: Punxsutawney, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5' 5" Remarks: Sent to Hosp 4-11-62. (Absent at M.O. Bates).
Montgomery Cook	Company I	Wounded at Gettysburg, 2 July 1863. Absent, in hospital at muster out. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866 [under Cooke, Montgomery]: Age at Enrollment: 18; Occupation: Painter; Residence: Allegheny County; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'3 1/2" Remarks: Pr. to Musc. (date unknown). (Wounded at Gettysburg 7-2-63 in Hospital at M.O. Bates). Rolls show name as Cook. Bates lists him as Cooke and includes Private as his only rank. Montgomery Cook is listed as private in Company 53 of the 2d Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. National Park Service. U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 lists his name Cook and has Rank In as Musician and Rank Out as Private. Died in 6 January 1921, according to Proceedings of the 56th Annual Encampment of the Department of Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic (Altoona, 1922). Buried in Union Dale Cemetery, Pittsburgh. Census records indicate that Montgomery and Samuel were not brothers and may not have been related. The 1860 Census for Allegheny City, Ward 1, includes a family of eight Cooks including brothers Montgomery and Samuel Cook. All but the youngest daughter were born in Ireland. Montgomery (aged 17) and Samuel (aged 19) were both listed as painters, as were the father and one older brother. The 1860 Census for Duquesne lists Samuel Cook, aged 15, employed as a nail feeder (?). He was born in Pennsylvania, as was his mother. His father was born in Maryland. Samuel of Company K is clearly the second individual, not brother of Montgomery.
Samuel Cook	Company I	Discharged on Surgeon's certificate 22 January 1863 Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 16; Occupation: Nail Cutter; Residence: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'1 1/2" Census records indicate that Montgomery and Samuel were not brothers and may not have been related. The 1860 Census for Allegheny City, Ward 1, includes a family of eight Cooks including brothers Montgomery and Samuel Cook. All but the youngest daughter were born in Ireland. Montgomery (aged 17) and Samuel (aged 19) were both listed as painters, as were the father and one older brother. The 1860 Census for Duquesne lists Samuel Cook, aged 15, employed as a nail feeder (?). He was born in Pennsylvania, as was his mother. His father was born in Maryland. Samuel of Company K is clearly the second individual, not brother of Montgomery.
Jacob Shenkel	Company L	Mustered out with company, August 15, 1864. Born 1840. Died 1927.
Benjamin Morgan	Company L	Mustered out with company, August 15, 1864.
William Clifford	Company L	Deserted 27 August 1862. Civil War Veterans' Card File, 1861-1866: Age at Enrollment: 22; Occupation: Barber; Residence: New York City; Hair: Light; Eyes: Blue; Complexion: Light; Height: 5'4"; Remarks: Deserted 8-27-62.
James Curran	Company M	Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, June 1862.
Richard P. Brunker	Company M	Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, 9 January 1863.
Edward D. Garden	Company M	Mustered in January 1, 1864; Transferred to 91st reg. P. V., July 20, 1864.

A Musical Digression

Taps was first heard in the Fifth Corps during the Peninsular Campaign. Daniel Butterfield wrote (or adapted) it with the assistance of bugler Oliver Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania, when Butterfield commanded the Third Brigade of the First Division of the Fifth Corps. The soldiers of the 62d Pennsylvania, in the Second Brigade, undoubtedly would have been among the very first to hear it, and a bugle from the 62d may have been one of the first outside Butterfield's brigade to play it. Despite a legend that quickly arose that the tune had been written in a tragic response to discovering that a dead Confederate soldier was the composer's son, neither Butterfield nor Norton had a son in the Confederate ranks. Instead they wrote Taps and other bugle calls possibly for no better reason than to while away the time awaiting orders while in camp at Harrison's Landing toward the end of the Peninsular Campaign. Taps was a revision to the signal for Lights Out, a tune Butterfield disliked.

Back to the main Pennsylvania 62d Infantry Regiment page?

This page authored and maintained by John R. Henderson (jhenderson @ icyousee . org), Lodi, NY.
Last modified: 24 January 2013, 150 years after the 62d Pennsylvania took part in Burnside's ill-fated "Mud March."
The Sixty Second Pennsylvania Monument, pictured at the top of the page, was dedicated at Gettysburg on 11 September 1889. The image was printed in the book, Pennsylvania at Gettysburg, Ceremonies at the Dedication of the Monuments, published in 1904.
URL: http://www.icyousee.org/pa62d/band.html