Mudcatters:

Just to make sure the record is set straight, "Ashokan Farewell" does not appear anywhere in the movie Gettysburg. I disagree with the notion that the use of a modern tune in an historical film is appropriate to set a proper tone - especially in a Civil war film. There are gazillions of period tunes that can be found for any occassion or sentiment. I, too, will have to pull out the video and listen for the fiddle tune. "Kathleen Mavourneen" is sung in the movie - prompting the conversation between Longstreet (I think, or maybe Garnet) and Armistead "That boy can sure sing" - allowing Armistead to describe his freindship with Hancock - they sang that song on the last night they were together as U.S. Army officers in California before they all went East or South as the case may be- "It may be for years or it may be forever" (At least that's the vehicle that Michael Shaara uses in the novel to flesh out this relationship and it is carried through in the movie).

I would love to hear from any other Civil War reenactors out there. I am with a New England Irish Brigade Unit and would really like to link up with others sharing the period Irish (as well as American) music interests.

Your obedient servant, Mark D