Musician (rank)

The rank of Musician was a position held by military band members, particularly during the American Civil War.

During the American Civil War, military leaders with the Union and Confederate Armies relied on military musicians to entertain troops, position troops in battle, and stir them on to victory — some actually performing concerts in forward positions during the fighting.

Each company was generally authorized two musicians whose job was to announce daily activities when in camp or garrison (i.e. reveille, taps).

It was also common practice to recruit boys under the age of eighteen as musicians with their parents' or guardians' consent.

Bands would perform for special occasions such as during inspections and parades, and would put on concerts to entertain the troops and visiting dignitaries.

[3] A second duty performed by musicians during battles were to act as stretcher bearers and orderlies, for which they received their training from the regiment's surgeon.