What information is available on the Valley Brass Band of the 48th Virginia Regiment? A number of brass bands could be found in the Army of Northern Virginia. Such bands may have been organized at the regiment level, but evidently they were often called upon to play for their entire brigade. However, two famous ones were in one brigade alone - the Salem Brass Band of the 26th North Carolina, and Fayetteville Brass Band of the 11th North Carolina. A competition of sorts occurred during a review of the army held on 11 September 1863, in which 17 bands reportedly participated. Presumably most if not all of these were brass bands, although "field" instruments (drums, fifes and bugles) might be included. When a battle was imminent, band members typically retired to the hospitals to assist the medical staff in caring for the wounded. Their music in camp or while on the march greatly boosted morale among the soldiers. I am aware of only one member of the Valley Brass Band, musician Jacob H. Lemley.