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The 26th North Carolina Regimental Band
The Federal City Brass Band announces the introduction of a new performing unit, the 26th North
Carolina Regimental Band. The band made its debut performance as the 26th North Carolina in June
2005 in Lynchburg, VA. In November 2005 the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band traveled to
Winston-Salem, NC, hometown of the original bandsmen of the 26th North Carolina, to perform. Also
in 2005, the band participated in a special commemoration on the Gettysburg battlefield, led by the
26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, re-activated. Performances by the 26th North Carolina
Regimental Band in 2006 included the Moravian Music Festival in Columbus, OH, and the Vintage
Band Music Festival in Northfield, MN.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES BY THE 26TH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENTAL BAND
Please see our performance schedule for more details
HISTORY OF THE BAND
The 26th North Carolina Regimental Band is one of the most renowned bands of the Civil War era.
Based in Salem, NC, the band was made up of Moravian musicians who enlisted in the early spring of
1862 and served until the last week of the war, when they were captured during the final retreat
towards Appomattox Courthouse. They took part in many major campaigns, including Gettysburg,
where they are recorded as having performed “polkas and waltzes” during the height of the battle to
bolster the morale of the Confederate troops. Their music, from the only known complete set of
original Confederate band books in existence today, has enriched the repertoire of dozens of bands
since it was re-discovered in the late 1950s and recorded by the late Dr. Frederick Fennell and his
Eastman Wind Ensemble.
While many of today’s Civil War bands perform selections from the band books of the 26th North
Carolina, The Federal City Brass Band has researched not only the music but also the incredible
history of this band, which was said to be one of General Robert E. Lee's favorites. Concerts by the re-
created 26th North Carolina Regimental Band include music of the Moravian heritage of the original
musicians and selections from their wartime repertoire, along with excerpts from diaries and other
contemporary written accounts of the 26th North Carolina and its band throughout the War Between
the States.
The reproduction uniforms worn by the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band are meticulously based
on the only known photograph of the original band during the War, taken in July, 1862. We have
used contemporary descriptions of the band and museum examples of original Confederate uniforms
as additional references. Uniforms are custom patterned by Alison Ragland of Greenbelt, MD and
sewn by Heather Faust. Kepis are by Greg Starbuck of Lynchburg, VA. Buttonholes for the
reproduction NC state seal buttons are all hand stitched. Jean cloth (70% wool, 30% cotton,
guaranteed to fade just like the original) was produced by Ben Tart of Newton Grove, NC using
natural vegetable dyes and actual recipes from the Fries Mill of Salem where the band’s original
fabric was produced in 1862.
We are proud to be associated with the 26th Regiment, North Carolina Troops re-enactment unit,
which includes many descendants of the original soldiers among its members. For more information
on this fine organization, please visit their website . Photos of our 2005 living history event in
Gettysburg, PA have now been posted on both their website and ours.
The Federal City Brass Band announces the introduction of a new performing unit, the 26th North
Carolina Regimental Band. The band made its debut performance as the 26th North Carolina in June
2005 in Lynchburg, VA. In November 2005 the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band traveled to
Winston-Salem, NC, hometown of the original bandsmen of the 26th North Carolina, to perform. Also
in 2005, the band participated in a special commemoration on the Gettysburg battlefield, led by the
26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, re-activated. Performances by the 26th North Carolina
Regimental Band in 2006 included the Moravian Music Festival in Columbus, OH, and the Vintage
Band Music Festival in Northfield, MN.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES BY THE 26TH NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENTAL BAND
Please see our performance schedule for more details
HISTORY OF THE BAND
The 26th North Carolina Regimental Band is one of the most renowned bands of the Civil War era.
Based in Salem, NC, the band was made up of Moravian musicians who enlisted in the early spring of
1862 and served until the last week of the war, when they were captured during the final retreat
towards Appomattox Courthouse. They took part in many major campaigns, including Gettysburg,
where they are recorded as having performed “polkas and waltzes” during the height of the battle to
bolster the morale of the Confederate troops. Their music, from the only known complete set of
original Confederate band books in existence today, has enriched the repertoire of dozens of bands
since it was re-discovered in the late 1950s and recorded by the late Dr. Frederick Fennell and his
Eastman Wind Ensemble.
While many of today’s Civil War bands perform selections from the band books of the 26th North
Carolina, The Federal City Brass Band has researched not only the music but also the incredible
history of this band, which was said to be one of General Robert E. Lee's favorites. Concerts by the re-
created 26th North Carolina Regimental Band include music of the Moravian heritage of the original
musicians and selections from their wartime repertoire, along with excerpts from diaries and other
contemporary written accounts of the 26th North Carolina and its band throughout the War Between
the States.
The reproduction uniforms worn by the 26th North Carolina Regimental Band are meticulously based
on the only known photograph of the original band during the War, taken in July, 1862. We have
used contemporary descriptions of the band and museum examples of original Confederate uniforms
as additional references. Uniforms are custom patterned by Alison Ragland of Greenbelt, MD and
sewn by Heather Faust. Kepis are by Greg Starbuck of Lynchburg, VA. Buttonholes for the
reproduction NC state seal buttons are all hand stitched. Jean cloth (70% wool, 30% cotton,
guaranteed to fade just like the original) was produced by Ben Tart of Newton Grove, NC using
natural vegetable dyes and actual recipes from the Fries Mill of Salem where the band’s original
fabric was produced in 1862.
We are proud to be associated with the 26th Regiment, North Carolina Troops re-enactment unit,
which includes many descendants of the original soldiers among its members. For more information
on this fine organization, please visit their website . Photos of our 2005 living history event in
Gettysburg, PA have now been posted on both their website and ours.
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updated January 7, 2010