Civil War Composers, who was the best? Who is your favorite?

This is a subject I always wanted to comment, so here goes.

My candidate for the best composer of music for Civil War bands is Claudio S Grafulla. For those out there who hav’nt heard his name, he composed “Washington Grays” I always theorized that his lady love was stolen away by an Eb cornet player and he found this way of retaliating. The music for an Eb cornet player on the march in Washington Grays is brutal. Add to that that the typical Civil Was band had only 1 or perhaps 2  Eb cornets and you can appreciate that when playing Washington Grays on the march, the Eb cornet player was a very busy guy!

I can remember as a H.S. bandsman in the 50s, when in a band competition, the judges always trotted out Washington Grays as a “sight reading” test, and it always evoked groans of pain from the cornet section.

Some non musician types think John Phillip Sousa composed during the Civil War. NOT TRUE! John Phillip was a lad of 4yrs at the time and can be seen on pictures of the U.S. Marine Band at the side of his father, who played Trombone.  John Phillip continued in the path started by Claudio S Grafulla.

Any other examples out there of Civil War Band composers?

Battle of the Bands July 2006

Two bands of Civil War vintage instruments play in competition across the Canon River then join forces for “Home Sweet Home.” First Brigade Band from Wisconsin and 26th North Carolina Regimental Band based in Baltimore both played during the Vintage Band Festival held in Northfield, Minnesota during July 2006. Dr. Paul Niemisto of St. Olaf College was the organizer.