Brevet Brigadier-General James Monroe Deems, U.S.V.Brevet Brigadier-General James Monroe Deems, whose name is associated with music, particularly in the State of Maryland, was born in the city of Baltimore, January 9, 1818. His grandfather, Frederick Deems, served in Captain William Craig's company, Third Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, during the Revolution. His father, Jacob Deems, was a popular and public-spirited citizen of Baltimore, and commanded a company in the Fifty-third Regiment Maryland Infantry, in the war of 1812. At an early age the subject of this sketch developed a decided talent for music and received instruction on several orchestral instruments, also on the piano. In 1839 he went to Germany, locating in Dresden, where he studied composition and violoncello with J. J. F. Dotzauer, then the first violoncellist in Europe. In 1841 he returned to the United States and followed the profession of music in his native city till 1848, when he was appointed instructor of music at the University of Virginia. In 1858-59 he traveled in Europe with his family, returning once more to Baltimore, where he re-engaged in active professional life. At the beginning of the war, in 1861, he assisted in raising the First Maryland Cavalry, of which he was appointed first major by President Lincoln. He was assigned to General Saxton's command at Harper's Ferry. In May, 1862, he was given the command of a reconnoitering party consisting of six companies of his own regiment, two pieces of artillery under Lieutenant Loder, and one regiment of Pennsylvania infantry, to discover the position of Stonewall Jackson. Proceeding to Charlestown, he met the enemy's cavalry under General Mumford, drove them through the town on Jackson's corps, maintaining his position about one hour, and finally retired slowly upon Harper's Ferry. He was under General Sigel on his first advance southward, and afterwards in General Hatch's command. Prior to the second Bull Run battle he was detailed as chief of cavalry on the staff of the Eleventh Corps, and after the second battle of Fredericksburg he was ordered with his regiment to join the cavalry corps under General Stoneman, and participated in his raid.
He has composed a grand opera, comic opera, and an oratorio, (Nebuchadnezzar,) the finale of which is a triple. fugue with three subjects, each taking the place of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass to the other subjects; has also written much for piano and voice. He resides yet in Baltimore. Source: Officers of the Volunteer Army and Navy who served in the Civil War, published by L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1893, 419 pgs.
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