Colonel Wm. McKnight
provided for the band by construction of a practicing-room,
and the purchase of a new set of instruments at a cost of over one thousand dollars.
The band practiced intensively and was soon receiving the admiration of its audiences.
A notable reputation was soon established, and posts of honor were often assigned to them.
"The efficient brass band of the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers is deserving of more than passing mention in this volume, and therefore a brief history of their organization and camp life is herewith respectfully submitted. The band was recruited in 1861, by Messrs. John C. Smith, of Indiana, Pa., and John T. Strattan, of Strattanville, Pa., and consisted of the following-named gentlemen, viz."
More. . .
| Name | Rank | Date of Muster into Service | Date of Discharge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith, John C. | Leader | Oct 10, 1861 | Discharged march, 1862 | |
| Strattan, John T. | " | " | Discharged by General Order, Aug. 13, 1862 | |
| Clark, Calvin B. | Musician | " | " " " | |
| Fisher, John B. | " | " | " " " | |
| Gallagher, John S. | " | " | " " " | |
| Guffey, John A. | " | " | " " " | |
| Gravenstein, John | " | " | " " " | |
| Hoover, Ellis J. | " | Sept. 5, 1861 | " " " | |
| Leech, Lott J. | " | Oct. 10 1861 | " " " | |
| Loomis, O. S. | " | " | " " " | |
| Montelius, A. M. | " | " | " " " | |
| McCLelland, Jas. A. | " | " | " " " | |
| Mooney, James | " | " | Discharged March, 1862 | |
| McLain, William | " | Oct 23 1861 | Transferred to Co. K. | |
| McGrew, George | " | " | Transferred to Co. E. | |
| Ross, Alvin | " | Sept. 5, 1861 | Died on Peninsula in 1862 | |
| Redic, O. C. | " | " | Transferred to Co. I. | |
| Sensenheimer, S. H. | " | Oct. 10, 1861 | Discharged by General Order, Aug. 13, 1862 | |
| Spottswood, T.C. | " | " | " " " | |
| Stroup, Samuel | " | " | " " " | |
| Sits, Charles | " | Oct. 10, 1861 | " " " | |
| Thompson, Jas. A. | " | " | " " " | |
| Taylor, Alex Ross. | " | Oct. 10, 1861 | " " " | |
| Wiedenboemer, John E. | " | " | " " " | |
| Weir, John | " | " | " " " | |
| Wissel, Henry C. | " | Oct. 10, 1861 | " " " | |
| Woodward, John H. | Drum Maj | " | " |
The band was involved in most of the regiment's operations during the Peninsular campaign.
During battles the band's responsibility was to attend the wounded, removing them from the field.
They were provided with stretchers, tourniquets, and bandages; providing whatever relief they could.
After the battle of Williamsburg, the City Hotel was immediately occupied by Colonel McKnight, and the band was stationed on the balcony, and treated the citizens to the strains of "Yankee Doodle".
During the Seven Days' fight, the band met with misfortune to their instruments. The Colonel ordered the band to stack instruments, knapsacks, and get the stretchers ready. The instruments were left without any special provisions for their safety, and an army wagon ran over the pile of horns, destroying approximately half of them.