"D--- that band to h---!"

  The army in 1861 with its many rules and regulations, to assure that the men serving would be made aware of them, and the penalties for breaching them. Without these regulations no army, past or present can maintain any form rule or discipline. Keeping in mind that not all called into military service where all of the same level of formal education. At each mornings calling of the roll the Articles of War would be read to the troops. Over time the men would remember the regulations of the Army thru simple repitition, these applied to enlisted and officers alike, sometimes with humorous results. 

   August 21, 1861: The day passed pleasantly with the regular camp duties and manual drill. At retreat roll-call the officer of the day read several orders to us, some of which were explained. Among the general orders was one in regard to profanity, which was pro­hibited, and for an offence a fine was to be levied. A private was to be fined fifty cents, an officer one dollar, for each and every offence. Now, while the officer was reading this order, a band which had just arrived at the infantry camp commenced to play a lively air, with heavy bass drum accompaniment, which drowned the officer's voice so that he could not be heard, and he was obliged to stop reading. Then came a lull in the music and he commenced reading again, and had proceeded as far as where the officers were to be fined one dollar, when the band struck up and let out in full blast, bass drum leading. A flash passed over the officer's face and he exclaimed, " D— that band to h—!" Then in the next breath said, "Orderly, charge me one dollar." I do not know whether that fine was ever paid, nor do I remember that a fine was ever levied on the men of Battery B for swearing.