David W. Drake Explained

David W. Drake
Birth Date:November 23, 1834
Birth Place:Stephens City, Virginia
Death Date:October 25, 1909
Death Place:Staunton, Virginia
Serviceyears:1861-1862
Rank:Chief Musician, Sergeant major
Unit:Company Band, 5th Virginia Infantry
Company L, 5th Virginia Infantry
Company E, 1st Virginia Infantry
Battles:American Civil War
Spouse:Kate M. Slaughter

David William Drake (November 23, 1834  - October 25, 1909) was a farmer, musician and the founder of the Stonewall Brigade Band.[1] He began the band with Edwin Cushing, and recruited A. J. Turner as the band's first director.[2] Drake moved to Staunton, Virginia in 1854. He married Kate Murat Slaughter, of Rappahannock County, on April 15, 1868.[3] The band became part of the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment. He played a bugle, and was in the West Augusta Guard (Company L) before the band, and later in the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Jeb Stuart commended his volunteering to perform hazardous scouting duties across the Rappahannock River.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Staunton community band marks 160 years. Laura Peters. Fredericksburg.com.
  2. Web site: THE BANDS OF THE CONFEDERACY: AN EXAMINATION OF THE MUSICAL AND MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BANDS AND MUSICIANS OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. Digital.library.unt.edu. December 22, 2020.
  3. http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/saxon/servlet/SaxonServlet?source=/xml_docs/valley_news/newspaper_catalog.xml&style=/xml_docs/valley_news/news_cat.xsl&level=edition&paper=ss&year=1868&month=04&day=21&edition=ss1868/va.au.ss.1868.04.21.xml
  4. Brice, Stonewall Brigade Band, p. 176