Civil War Bugle Identified To The 9th New Hampshire Infantry.

Civil War Bugle Identified To The 9th New Hampshire Infantry. This double coiled, German silver bugle pitched in “C” is very common to those used during the war.  The mouthpiece is an E.G. Wright style telescopic tuning device (Page 7 from the below named reference ), scarce on American made instruments an usually associated with French instruments. The mouthpiece is firmly seated, and being left as found.

The piece has no maker marking, but is engraved to the “9th N.H. INFANTRY.” According to Robert Garofalo & Mark Elrod’s book, Civil War Era Musical Instruments & Military Bands, “the regulations indicated that this model was intended for cavalry and light artillery, but in reality they saw use in other branches of service as well.”  Obviously, this bugle used by the 9th New Hampshire Infantry bears this out.

12.5 inches high.

Many Civil War bugles, and other instruments were produced after the war, such as this style, but post war models were made using heavier gauge metal, not commonly used the reinforced bell, and the addition to rings mounted to post war types for holding cords.

The reinforced bell shows some dings around its circumference with minor dings few in number overall. The German silver is thinning were it received the heaviest handling.

The 9th Infantry engraving is not typical of the period, and may be a post war addition, however, it is likely that the bugle was in the possession of the regiment during the war given the style.

The 9th New Hampshire Infantry was mustered in August of 1862; attached to the 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, and later served for a time in the Department of Ohio, and were engaged in the siege of Vicksburg; returned to East in 1864 and involved in most of the major battles of the war, and after the surrender of Lee’s Army, took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D.C. on May 23rd, 1965.

A copy of a photograph comes from Carlisle Barracks, Pa, and shows a musician from the 9th N.H. holding this style bugle, but with a different mouthpiece.

A fine Civil War bugle with unit association.  Comes with a 1988 unit history, RACE OF THE SOIL, The Ninth New Hampshire Regiment in the Civil War, by William Marvel, and signed by the author.  Also a letter of authentication from Mark Elrod, one of the authors of Civil War Era Musical Instruments.

While in the heat of a fight, with musketry, and cannon firing, and the general confusion associated in battle, bugles were the most useful tool in communicating movements, maintaining necessary control to the troops.