Nauvoo Legion Band. The maneuvers of a large body such as the Nauvoo Legion grew to be could not properly be conducted with one small band of music, and the thought of a brass band therefore suggested itself to the general. Upon inquiry, it was found that there were several men in the ranks who either were or had been at some time performers on brass and reed instruments. Thus, at the call of the Prophet, a meeting was held in the house of John W. Coolidge sometime during the year 1842, where the organization of the Nauvoo Brass Band was formally effected. Some of the persons present on this occasion were William Pitt, trumpet; James Smithers and Charles H. Hales, trombones; Stephen Hales, James Standing, Martin H. Peck and George McKenzie, clarinets; Geo. Hales and John Kay, French horns; Wm. Cahoon, bass drum; Andrew Cahoon and David Cahoon, piccolos; and Edmund Ellsworth, cavalry cornet. Some time later the following were also enrolled as members: Robt. T. Burton, trumpet; John Blazard and David Smith, key bugles; Jacob Hutchinson, E-flat clarinet; and Gustavus Hill, arranger and copyist of music; numbering eighteen in all.
To E. P. Duzette, a man who, it was said, made the drum almost a solo instrument, had been given the rank of chief of music in the Legion. A martial band had been formed, with Levi W. Hancock as fife major, and the frequent drills and parades had been executed to the time of some dozen fifes and drums. --D.U.P. Files
At a meeting of the Nauvoo Legion Band held at the house of Robert Burton on the evening of April 9, 1850, Brother William Clayton made the following remarks: "I have a conscientious notion in organizing this band, which was organized by Joseph Smith under the name of the Nauvoo Band. I have as firm a notion in the organizing of this band as I would have in being baptized. The minute I see any division of this band, that moment I retire, but still do not consider that I leave the Nauvoo Band. My feelings are that we organize as members that stood on the old list." After all the brethren had expressed their feelings regarding the band, E. P. Duzette was named chief musician of the Legion; William Pitt, captain; and the following as members of the old band: James Smithers, John Kay, David Smith, James Standing, William Clayton, J. F. Hutchingson [sic], Stephen Hales, Ed E. Ellsworth, Charles Hales, George Hales, Robert Burton, William Cahoon, J. Cahoon, M. H. Peck, Jacob Peart, Charles Smith, Ed Martin and H. K. Whitney. The following new members were voted on: E. Averett, J. Armstrong, J. Anderson, William Glover, George Wardle. It was moved and carried that J. Anderson be sustained as temporary leader of the band until William Pitt arrived.
It was also moved and carried that the band adopt a straw hat for the covering of the head, a white dress coat and white pantaloons, a sky blue sash and a white muslin cravat as their uniform, and a committee was appointed to commence negotiations for such a uniform.
At another meeting held April 12, 1850, a committee was appointed to make some arrangements relative to procuring a band carriage, and by unanimous vote Brigham H. Young was appointed to the office of standard bearer in the place of William H. Kimball, resigned. --D.U.P. Files
Source: Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 20, p.74-5
Last Updated 6 October 2006