Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-06-08
THE STORY OF A REBEL SONG. Il From the

was written at Oakland, Allegheny county, Md. :,
almost within hearing of the guns OF Antetam
About ten days after that baltic it first appear
ed In print in the columns of the Baltimore Re-
publican, headed (by the author) Found on
the Body of Sergeant of the Old Stonewall
Brigade, Killed at Winchester. The original
copy had dropped from his pocket in the heart
of the Federal encampment at Antietam, he
being then special correspondent OF Northern
journal.
Taken from the Republicans, the song was at
once set to music and published simultaneously
by two music dealers in Baltimore, but with
different airs. The one to which it was popu-
larly sung throughout Virginia, and especially
In the Confederate army in the Valley, was
COMPOSED by young Frederick Benteen, re-
msrkable musical genius, whose early death was
not only private but a public loss. 'The
sympathizers" of Baltimore caught the tune as
eagerly as they had that Of My Maryland"
but their enthusiasm met with rude check at
the hands OF the reigning provost marsha, who
seized and burned the sheets, destroyed the
plates. and cauterized the wound inflicted upon
loyal hearts by applying red hot oath of ale
glance to several of the music sellers of the city.
But the song had already gone through "the
lines. 1t was reprinted 10 Richmond and
gaily sung by every woman and child in the
Valley OF Virgiuia-especially BY the admirers
OF General Jeb Stuart, with whom it was q
tavorite ditty. Once the author, in passing
alone and by night from General Breckenridge 5
army (then lying near Woodstock to Rioh- |
moud, was arrested at Gordonsville as Fede- |
raj spy. and while guarded by two sentries in |
the public room of an inn was Recognized by a |
stranger as the man wAo wrote 'Stonewal |
Jsckson's Way"
lu every printed collection Of the poems and |
songs OF the war this one has been awarded |
prominent place, and almost every compiler |
has sought for information concerning its origin |
and authorship. At one time the title Of the |
song was used as handy newspaper phrase TO
describe the characteristic exploits of its hero;
and 'Stonewal Jackson's Way appeared at
the head of reports and editorials in the South
ern press.
As an example of the interest it aroused, we
may mention that DR.. Oliver: Wendet II dimes,
in his lively lecture on the Songs ofthe w ar.
spoke of 'Stouewal Jackson's Way as by lar |
tie best song that had come from the rebel
side. Another writer Mr.. Richard Grant
White, cites it as fine example of the true and
stirring ballad, comparing 1T with Wnlttiers
we'll known barbara Freitchie. "A leading |
New York journal once characterized It as "a
ballad that will live as long as the war Is re |
membered :; and Pu.nam's Monthly has twice
has its fame been confined to this country. A
literary nobleman of England wrote to an
American poet, requesting him to procure II
possible an autograph copy OF the song.
In everv place it has appeared anonymously,
except in Miss Mason s compilation, published
in Baltimore. By her it is enormously ascrib-
ed to one DE RiViere." OF course, its text,
by frequent reprintibg, has suffered much dam
age at the hands OF printers and proot.read-
ers. With the exception Of the original draft
in the old Republican anda copy furnished long
afterwards TO the New York Round Table, the
one here given is the only correct copy ever
printed.
In Virginia the authorship has commonly
been attributed to a very uncertain LADY. -
Tho legitimate parent Of the song is well
known journalist and magazine writer, former
Of Baltimore, whose name is familiar to the
readers of the Atlantic Monthly and many la.
dies and gentlemen ofthst city are coguizant
of the facts here first made pubic, setting
forth the true story CT "Stonewal Jackson IS
Way"
SToNEWALL JAcKsoN's WAY.
Come, stack arms, men Pile 90 the rails,
Stir up the camp fire bright
No matter if the canteen fails
We'll make roaring night.
Here Shena ndoah braWls along,
There bury blue Ridge echoes strong,
To swell the brigade's rousing song
OfStonewall Jackson's way.
We sec him now the queer, slouched hat
Cooked o'er bis his eyes askew;
The shrewd dry smile; the speech 50 pat,
So calm, so blunt, SO true
The cute old Elder knows them well
SAYS he, That's Banks-he' 8 fond OF she'll
T.nrd save his soull Well give him well
That's Stonewall Jackson's way. -.
Silence Ground arms Kneel all Gaps OH !
Old *Blue-ight's going to pray;.
Strangle the fool that dares to scott
Attention It's his way. 49,.
Appealing from his native sod,
In iorma rauperis, to Cod -,
Lay bare Thine arm Stretch forth Thy rod
Amen I'--that's Stonewall's way.
He's in the saddle now Fall in !
Steady the whole BRIGADE, -,