James Monroe Deems
James Monroe Deems (born January 5, 1818 in Baltimore , † April 18, 1901 ibid) was an American composer and officer and brevet brigadier general in the Civil War .
After Deems had received lessons in various orchestral instruments and piano in Baltimore, he was cello student of Justus Johann Friedrich Dotzauer in Dresden from 1839 . After his return to the USA in 1841 he taught music in Baltimore and from 1848 at the University of Virginia .
At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 he participated in the formation of the First Maryland Cavalry . In 1863 he took part as regimental commander with the rank of lieutenant colonel in all cavalry battles under General John Irvin Gregg in Brandy Station , Aldie, Gettysburg and Shepherdstown. In autumn of that year he retired from active military service due to rheumatism. In 1865, Congress named him Brevet Brigadier General for his bravery on the battlefield .
After the war he lived again as a cellist and music teacher in Baltimore. He composed a grand opera , an operetta and the oratorio Nebuchadnezzar as well as numerous songs with piano accompaniment.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Deems, James Monroe |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American composer and civil war officer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 5, 1818 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Baltimore |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 18, 1901 |
| Place of death | Baltimore |