As the sun set on December 30, 1862, nearly 81,000 men in blue and gray faced each other across the fields and forests to the west and south of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Every man knew that the next day would bring yet another titanic battle and more lives lost as our nation's Civil War ground on. Samuel Seay of the First Tennesse Infantry, CSA described what happened as darkness fell.
"Just before 'tattoo' the military bands on each side began their evening music. The still winter night carried their strains to great distance. At every pause on our side, far away could be heard the military bands of the other. Finally one of them struck up 'Home Sweet Home.' As if by common consent, all other airs ceased, and the bands of both armies as far as the ear could reach, joined in the refrain. Who knows how many hearts were bold next day by reason of that air?"
On Saturday October 16, 2021, Civil War musicians in blue and gray gathered on the battlefield once more in a concert featuring Confederate and Union band battling for supremacy on the field as they did on December 30, 1862, recreating that poignant moment when competition turned to unity as all soldiers' thoughts turned to the home.
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The Union brass band opens the Battle of the Bands concert with the Star Spangled Banner.
Video Description - A man wearing a dark blue officer's uniform speaks near a podium then directs musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 45 seconds
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The Confederate brass band opens their portion of the Battle of the Bands concert with "The Bonnie Blue Flag"
Video Description - A man wearing a gray officer's frock coat addresses the audience then directs a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms in playing brass instruments and drums.
- Duration:
- 1 minute, 23 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 4 minutes, 10 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 1 minute, 54 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 3 minutes, 11 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 53 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 4 minutes
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 3 minutes, 55 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 4 minutes, 15 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 4 minutes, 21 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 36 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 4 minutes, 1 second
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 4 minutes, 8 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 56 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 3 minutes, 5 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 3 minutes, 15 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 3 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 3 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 16 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. He hands the microphone to the Confederate band director who wear a gray wool frock coat. The band leader speaks and then moves left to direct a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 19 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 51 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 24 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 7 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans left to focus on a group of musicians wearing gray uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a gray officer's frock coat. The band members stand, cheer and bow as the song ends.
- Duration:
- 1 minute, 51 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the camera pans right to focus on a group of musicians wearing blue uniforms playing brass instruments and drums. The band is directed by a man wearing a blue officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 11 seconds
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Video Description - A man wearing a 19th century style tan wool suit stands at black podium adorned with the NPS arrowhead and speaks into a microphone. When he finishes speaking, the scene changes to reveal soldiers playing a variety of brass instruments and drums and dressed in gray and blue uniforms standing intermixed an a semi circle. They are directed by a man wearing gray wool officer's frock coat.
- Duration:
- 3 minutes, 52 seconds
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