The Battle of the Bands in Murfreesboro

As the sun set on December 30, 1862, nearly 81,000 men in blue and gray faced each other across the fields and forests to the west and south of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Every man knew that the next day owuld bring yet another titanic battle and more lives lost as our nation’s Civil War ground on. Samuel Seay of the First Tennesse Infantry, CSA described what happened as darkness fell.

“Just before ‘tattoo’ the military bands on each side began their evening music. The still winter night carried their strains to great distance. At every pause on our side, far away could be heard the military bands of the other. Finally one of them struck up ‘Home Sweet Home.’ As if by common consent, all other airs ceased, and the bands of both armies as far as the ear could reach, joined in the refrain. Who knows how many hearts were bold next day by reason of that air?”

On Saturday October 14, 2017, Civil War musicians in blue and gray will gather on the battlefield once more. They will fill the park with the songs that meant so much to soldiers and civilians throughout the conflict and fill places such as the Slaughter Pen with the strains that have not been heard on that ground for more than 150 years. This special event will conclude with a Confederate and Union band battling for supremacy on the field as they did on December 30, 1862 recreating that poignant moment when competition turned to unity as all soldiers’ thoughts turned to the home.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

10 AM – Band Rehearsals Behind Visitor Center (Public Invited)

-Confederate Band (10 AM)
-Union Band (11 AM)

1:30-3 PM – Battlefield Performances
Visitors can tour the battlefield and enjoys Civil War music at several locations TBD.

4 PM – Battle of the Bands
Confederate and Union bands will battle for supremacy on the battlefield nearly 154 years after the first Battle of the Bands by trading songs in an attempt win the audience’s favor before concluding with a joint rendition of “Home, Sweet Home.”