CIVIL WAR ARTICLES

69th Pa. Band's CD to Aid Preservation

The Civil War News

"Rock of Erin", a CD combining Civil War and Irish folk music, was recently released by the 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers, a band sponsored by the reenactment regiment of the same name. Proceeds will go to battlefield and other preservation projects.

The CD honors the 69th Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry, predominantly an Irish-Catholic regiment that had a number of Jewish and Protestant soldiers as well. They fought in most major campaigns with the Army of the Potomac, most notably at the Angle on Cemetery Ridge on July 2 and 3, 1863, at Gettysburg. Historian, Brian Pohanka has described the 69th Irish Volunteers as "the Rock of Gibraltar" as they defended their position, sustaining over 50 percent casualties that day.

The 19-track CD features four original Irish ballads, including the track title, written by George Levens and one written and performed by Belfast-born member Brian Rock. Levens said the common thread through the Celtic Folk and Civil War music is "the celebration of those who have fought against persecution and survived great personal loss throughout American, Irish and world history."

The project was funded by more than 80 national businesses and eight corporate sponsorships ($500 each), including the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT).

Working with the CWPT "was a natural progression of our efforts," according to band member, Dr. Robert A. Levine. Trust President Jim Lighthizer said "what the 69th PVI is doing is unique in the hobby of reenacting." CWPT will be one of the CD's distributors and will use all of the proceeds for battlefield preservation.

All profits from the band's performances, sales of its popular Volume II song book and the CD go to preservation efforts. Levine said that in light of Sept. 11 "saving our national heritage by preserving our battlefields and placing tombstones for all our fallen heroes is even more important today."

He said the 69th Pennsylvania Irish Volunteers challenge other organizations to consider similar efforts in the support of the Civil War Preservation Trust.

All proceeds from the band's last three fall performances were donated in a check of $2000 to the Emerald Fund in New York City to help the children of Irish policemen and firemen who died at the World Trade Center.

In addition, $1000 was given to the CWPT and $1500 to the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg towards a traveling school trunk for educating students about the Battle of Gettysburg and the common soldier.

CDs are available for purchase by clicking here.

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