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Re-enactment band salutes Lincoln
By Scott Richardson
srichardson@pantagraph.com
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SPRINGFIELD -- A Twin City-based Civil War re-enactment band will play at the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield just before the flag is lowered for the evening on Tuesday.

The regular Tuesday night ceremonies have drawn tourists to the tomb of the nation's 16th president in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery all summer long. But officials of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which oversees the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, said the presence of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band at this ceremony will make this event even more special.

The re-enactment band, which wears original-style uniforms and plays popular music of the era on period instruments, was formed in the mid-1990s after members of a community band played a concert featuring Civil War music. Some wanted the tradition to continue.

As a result, the group modeled itself after the original 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band. Charles Hovey, then-president of what is now Illinois State University, organized the first band, which numbered 17 members.

Made up of teachers and students from the school and businessmen and farmers from the area, the unit became known as the "Teachers Regiment."

The first band leader was August Woodward from Lexington.

Early in the war, about 450 bands serenaded and entertained on both sides of the war.

History tells how a Confederate band played polkas and waltzes as soldiers fought the Battle of Gettysburg, and historians have documented times when patriotic songs, such as "Rally 'Round the Flag," turned the tide of battle.

The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band took part in the Mississippi Valley campaign, distinguishing itself at the Battle of Vicksburg, Miss.

Band members received more than the $13 a month or so paid to ordinary infantrymen.

Commanders eventually wanted more ammunition than music and the bands were disbanded.

All members of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Band returned to Illinois at first. Several then re-enlisted as soldiers.

Local lore says one member, Edward Scott of Whiteside County, later played in the band at Lincoln's funeral.

The modern-day re-enactment band has performed at several Lincoln-related functions and was one of four bands chosen to play before President Bush's second inaugural parade. Its motto is, "History through Music."

The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band will perform from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. The flag-lowering and retreat ceremony will follow from 7 to 7:25 p.m. The tomb will remain open for visitors until 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the band, visit www.33rdband.org.

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Members of the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band based in Bloomington-Normal will play Tuesday at the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield. (Pantagraph file photo)
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