The Daily Dispatch: December 15, 1865., [Electronic resource]

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Musical.

--It may not be known to the majority of our readers that there are at present here some of the finest musical bands in the country. The band of the Eleventh United States Infantry, stationed at Camp Winder, is composed of twenty-four instruments — an unusually large number — with Mr. Thomas Thompson as leader. This band has been for a long time in the service. When McClellan made his last review previous to taking leave of the army, most of the bands on the line played "Hail to the Chief. Who in Triumph Advances" but on reaching the front of the band of the Eleventh, they played "Ever of Thee I'm Fondly Dreaming" in a style both effective and touching. General McClellan halted with his staff some ten minutes, and so much impressed was he with the piece and the style in which it was played, that he christened the band with the name of the "Band of the Potomac", which they wear proudly to this day.

The band of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts regiment, of whose performances we can speak from our own personal knowledge, is still here, encamped with the regiment at Howard's Grove. Many of our citizens have been delightfully entertained with their sweet strains, which, with the clarinet, make the softest kind of parlor music. This band has a glee club attached, who skillfully perform all the popular vocal musical compositions of the day.