Music published in Newport
The Music of the Civil War and the T.W. Wood Music Store
From the August 4, 1859 Newport Daily News
Thomas W. Wood owned a music store on Thames Street in the middle of the 19th century. The address was listed as 83 Thames Street. During the Civil War, the T.W. Wood music store published a number of songs dedicated to popular Rhode Islanders fighting for the Union Army.
The advertisement shown here from the August 4, 1859, Newport Daily News shows that even though the original Germania Musical Society had been disbanded, their manager F.B. Helmsmuller continued to perform with his own Germania Orchestra during Newport’s summer season.
Hurrah for Rhode Island
Composed by E.A. Payne in 1861. The text of this song is based on poetry by General Van Zandt and is dedicated to the Rhode Island Volunteers. This song will be sung soon!
The Conscript Mother’s Song
Composed by Henry Bedlow and arranged for piano by Philip Pfeiffer in 1863. Pfeiffer was a member of the United States Naval Academy Band. This song will be sung soon!
Do Your Bit
Composed in 1917. Words and music by Archie MacDonald. MacDonald owned The City Music Store at 116A Broadway. He ran a full service music store selling everything from sheet music to player piano rolls. This song will be sung soon!
Governor Sprague’s Grand March
Composed by William D. Lake in 1861. Dedicated to “His Excellency William Sprague, Governor of Rhode Island.
General Burnside’s Grand March
Burnside served briefly as the Commanding General of the Army of the Potomac, and later served as the Governor of RI and later one of the state’s Senators.