Musician Medal of Honor winners remind us that these men saw themselves as soldiers Rrst and musicians second, and that they, like their comrades in the ranks, were able to distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action even as they supplied the irreplaceable gift of music to the lonely camps and bloody battleRelds of the American Civil War. This article identiRes the 28 army musicians who were awarded the Medal of Honor for actions that included assisting the wounded during battle, hazardous courier or reconnaissance duty, seizing or defending a position or Yag, leading an attack, and, in one special case, using music to turn the tide of battle. Here enlisted musicians were placed in situations that tested their courage, and many rose to the challenge, performing feats of gallantry that earned them this country's highest military honor–the Medal of Honor. Certainly the calls performed by Reld musicians were critical to the organization and performance of armies in camp and on the battleReld, but musicians were also assigned additional, often dangerous duties of equal importance. This is unfortunate, as soldier-musicians, just like the pieces they played, served a unique and valuable role in the long and bloody conYict.
Those who performed this music, however, have drawn less attention than the pieces they performed. The sound of Rfes, drums, and bugles are recognized as a commonplace yet signiRcant part of the Civil War soundscape.
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