History of the American Brass Band and Orhestra 1837 to 1920 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan W. Pieroth, (© 1997 Susan W. Pieroth) USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages are for the use of indivisual researchers, and may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. _____________________________________________________________ From: The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biograþhical, by the American Historical Society, Inc., 1920. For an unknown reason there are two coþies of the book with the same title þage, but with different contents. ______________________________________________________ HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND BIOGRAPHICAL pages 179 - 180 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN BRASS BAND AND ORCHESTRA. Organized about 1837; Warren S. Fales secretary-director. The following is a list of the fourteen original members and the instruments played: Joseph C. Greene............................E Bugle Benjamin G. West..............1st B Bugle Principal Simon Packard.........................B Bugle Primo Esbeck B. MacDonald.................B Bugle Secondo Seth B. Cook, Jr..........................E Trumpet Henry S. Cartee.........................B Post Horn Alfred Potter............................Small Drum David T. Capron.....................1st French Horn Joshua Hathaway.....................2nd Wrench Horn Benjamin J. Bliven.................. Tenor Trombone Moses C. Dunbar.......................Bass Trombone Henry E. Barney...........................Bass Horn William G. Dickney........................Bass Drum Benjamin P. Robinson...............Fife and Cymbals The band gave their first concert in 1838, directed by Joseph C. Greene, and in 1853, by special act of General Assembly, was incorporated. The following section 4 of the charter is notable by the fact that no other social organization of America was ever e×empted from duties as per this enactment: All members of said Band so long as they shall continue regularly enrolled shall be e×empted from bearing arms or doing military duty in the several companies or training bands in whose districts they may severally belong, and shall likewise be e×empted from jury duty. They shall be required to perform such military duty as is from time to time required by law of the chartered military companies or militia of this State, and shall receive such compensation from time to time allowed to the chartered military companies or military of this State, such compensation to be paid by the general treasurer in the same form and manner upon the return of the president of the band, as is or may be required by law upon the return of military of the State; provided, that whenever the Second Brigade shall be ordered to appear for inspection and review, not more than once a year, said Band shall be required to appear with said Brigade without receiving any additional compensat1on. On April 15, 1861, it was voted that if the Band be called upon by the Governor to go to Washington with First Rhode Island Regiment, it would be their duty to go. J. C. Greene, Wm. E. Whiting and W. B. Kingsley were appointed as committee to make necessary arrangements, inquire as to duty, obligations, etc. Afterwards they were visited by the Governor and Adjutant General, the Governor making a speech and accepting their services and ordered to hold themselves in readiness. Each man gave his signature and voted to go irrespectful of compensation for their services.On April 20, 1861, the Band left for Washington, an immense crowd witnessing their departure amid tremendous cheering. The following are the names of those who enlisted in the Government service forthree months: A. K. Dickerson W. L. Dunbar T. P. Fenner Joseph C. Greene J. C. Harrington I. A. Heald A. Heise William W. Hull W. B. Kingsley Wm. R. Marshall George E. Mason A. E. Mowry E. A. Paine E. L. Potter C. J. Pullen B. G. Reynolds W. L. Reynolds S. J. Sweet S. R. Sweet S. D. Spink (served 3 months 17 days) William E. Whiting S. G. Whittemore While in Washington, I. A. Heald was discharged, Willard Haskell carrying on and taking his place in the band. A few days after Henry Dana and Abijal M. Pond joined, making the number twenty-four pieces, All returned with their regiment, July 28, after participating in the Battle of Bull Run, July 21, none of them injured. In November, 1861, J. C. Greene enlisted again with the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment of Volunteers. S. G. Whittemore, A. Heise in the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers, T. P. Fenner and W. B. Kingsley enlisted in the Naval Academy Band at Newport. On December 25, 1865, Joseph C. Greene, leader of the Band for twenty-eight years, sent in his resignation together with a beautifully composed letter full of regrets and sadness at the thoughts of leaving the organization with which he had so pleasantly been associated for so many years. At a special meeting the Band accepted his resignation with deepest regrets. Several resolutions were passed, one in particular being worthy of preservation; "That as a token of our respect and high appreciation of his past service, we tender him our gratuitous aid for a benefit concert every year as long as the present members, can control the Band, said concerts to be given in Providence, Rhode Island. "The Band's ne×t leader was D. W. Reeves, who became a member and leader, February 17, 1866. On November 7, 1887, the Band gave their fiftieth anniversary concert, directed by D. W. Reeves, the program a repetition of the first concert given in 1838. The then surviving members, all of whom took part, were: Joseph C. Greene, Benjamin G. West, Alfred Potter and Benjamin P. Robinson. The hall was filled to capacity and many congratulatory telegrams were received by Mr. Beeves.April 19, 1865, the Band volunteered their services with the Second Brigade for the funeral services of their loved and honored president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. March 26, 1910, Benjamin P. Robinson, one of the charter members of the American Brass Band, died in his ninety-si×th year, the last of the charter members to pass to another world. In March, 1900, D. W. Reeves, leader of the American Brass Band, passed away in Providence. At his funeral the church was filled to capacity and over two thousand people stood outside. A simple and impressive service of the Masonic order was read as the people passed out of the church. The floral tributes and remembrances were larger than at any previous funeral service in the city. The most noteworthy piece was that of the members of the American Brass Band, a conductor's music stand, four feet in height, on it a page of white with the clef and bars and three notes, at the bottom the word which marks the closing of the selection "Finis." John Philip Sousa sent a basket containing two hundred bridesmaid roses, besides seventy-five pieces and designs from his individual friends. Floral offerings were also sent by Corinthian Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Calvary and St. John Commanderies, Knights Templar; Orpheus Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Leader Maitland of the Rockland Band; American Band Veteran Association; the National Band; Musical Club; What Cheer Assembly of Good Fellows; Mann Eccles; The Union Club; American Watch Factory Band; Felix R. Wendelschaefer; Bohemian Quintet; and Providence Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.The present officers of the American Band are: Joseph LeMaire, president; Warren R. Fales, secretary and leader. On January 15, 1918, the band voted to offer their services as an organization to the United States. A letter, viz., was sent to Governor R. L. Beekman and the adjutant-general of he United States: I do not know what importance is attached to military bands in the war, but I assume that there is some military music required. Therefore, I take pleasure in saying to your E×cellency that the "American Band" of this city, which volunteered and served in the War of the Rebellion, is now ready to volunteer its services to the United States under such regulations as have been established for like organizations that enter the Federal service. Very respectfully, (Signed) WARREN R. FALLES, Secretary. In reply Adjutant-General Abbott said: Mr. Warren R. Fales, Director American Band: Dear Sir: -- His E×cellency, the Governor, directs me to acknowledge with thanks your letter of the 15th instant, and to say that so far as volunteering for service to the United States is concerned he no longer has any authority in such matters, as the National Guard are all in Federal service. Respectfully yours, (Signed) CHARLES W. ABBOTT, Adjutant General.