Civil War -- Music and musicians

Scope and Contents Civil War correspondence of the DeBussey brothers of Ravenswood, WV. There is a single letter each from John DeBussey and George DeBussey. John DeBussey served in the Confederate Army while George DeBussey served in the 2nd. WV Cavalry. Most of the letters are from Adolphus DeBussey who served in the 4th. WV Infantry as a musician. In his letters Adolphus documents the service of his regiment in the Kanawha Valley early in the war and in the Western Theater during the battles of Vicksburg,...

Overview

One American Civil War song sheet entitled "Nicholas Blues". It includes text only, not the music. The text, or poem, was composed by James M. McNeill, Captain of the "Nicholas Blues". McNeill took command of the unit in May 1862, after Winston Shelton (who was not reelected). "Nicholas Blues" was the nickname for Company D, Virginia 22nd Infantry, Confederate States of America, since its membership was mustered in from the residents of Nicholas County, (West) Virginia.

Overview

Collection of sheet music of mostly songs about West Virginia or written by West Virginians. Also includes Civil War era editions of songs by George F. Root, including "The Battle Cry of Freedom", "Just Before The Battle, Mother", "On, On, On, The Boys Came Marching!", "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp", and "The Vacant Chair". See Scope and Content Note for contents list.