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[ARSCLIST] Civil War recordings
I received the email below (below) that I can't answer. Does anybody
know if there are other Civil War soldiers besides Polk Miller who later
made recordings?
An interesting question. Reply to me or the list and I will forward to
the individual.
David Seubert
UCSB
------------------
Sir,
You have several recordings by Polk Miller. Miller, a great favorite
of Mark Twain, and a now all but forgotten once major American
musician, may be best remembered for the pet products he produced for
his dog "Sergeant." "Sergeant's" is still a best selling brand after
over a century.
Miller was a Confederate soldier, took his banjo along to war, and
served in the same Batteries as my great grandfathers.
You have a copy of his singing "The Bonnie Blue Flag"; which with
"Dixie" comprised The South's two most popular National Songs.
Surely he played this song hundreds of times in camp (See Ted Turner's
cameo comment in *Gods and Generals.),* along the road to Gettysburg
etc. Surely my ancestors, whose saving his obituary etc. reflects a
friendship, heard him regularly. .
It brings The War close to today.
But I wonder is this the only surviving rendition of one of the
two major Southern hymns, by a Confederate Soldier?
Is this the only surviving recording of a Civil War Song made by a
participant on either side?
There are millions of relics of The War, but I never thought there would
be an audible one.
Thanks.