Somewhere buried in my collection is a record by an ordinary civil war
soldier. It's probably 1948 or so, 2s 10", a pale yellow label, privately
pressed. He speaks on it. That's all I recall about it Since it was
pressed, there must be other copies around.

Steve Smolian


----- Original Message -----
From: "David Seubert" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 9:25 PM
Subject: [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.
>
>
>
> --
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