, 1870-06-05
The story OF n Nobel Song.

Oakland, Allegheny County, Maryland almost
within hearing Of tho guns Of Antiesan. About
ten days after that battle 1t first appeared In
print, In the columns Of the Baltimore Rep,ib-
iican (by the autbor), headed "Found on ths
Body Of Sergeant Of the Old Stonswan
brigade, Killed At Winchester" The original
copy had dropped from his pocket In tho heart
OF the Federal encanpment at Antieten, he
then being special correspondent Of Northern
journal.
Taken from the Republican, ths song WAS at
once set to music and published simultaneous
II by two muAic dealers in Baltimore, but with
different airs. The ono to which it Has popu-
larly sung throughout Virgins, and especially
in the Confederate army in the valley, WAS
composed BY young Frederick Denseen, re-
na1kAble musical genius, whose carly death
WAS not only private, but public loss. The
sympathizers" Of Baltimore caught Tie tune
as eagerly as they had that Of Ny Maryland;
but their enthusiasm met with rude check
at the handa Of the reigniug Provost Marshal,
who seized md burned the sheets, destroyed
the plates. and cautcrizcd the wound inflicted
upon loyal hearts by ,ppl5ing . 1ed-h0t oath
the city.
But the song had already gone through
"tho lines" It WIS reprinted In Richmond,
and gaiiy sung BY every woman and child in
The Valley Of visgini4, +, 4,I,especlslly by tue ID !.
was fayorite ditty. Once ths author, in
passing alone and by night from General
D1eclnridge's army Chen lying ueas Wood
stock) to Richmond, wAH arrested ut Gordons-
vile as Federal spy. and, while guarded BY
sentHes in the public room Of m inn, was
recognized BY Astranger as the man who wrote
"EtonewAQ jackson's Way"
In every printed collection Of the poeu,a and
sopgb OF The var this one has bceu awarded \
prominent place, and almost every compiler
las sought for information concerning Its
origin and authorship. At one time the title
OF the song was used aa y handy newspaper
Of its help; aud StonewnD Jaclson's Way" ap-
peared At the head of reports and editorials in
the Southern press.
As an example Of the interest it aroused,
We may mention that DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmea, In his lively lecture on the 'ssongs Of
II, BY far, the best song that had come trnm
the rebel side. Another N1itsr cites it Is =
flnc example Of tho tune xnd stirring bal-
~, comparing It with Whittisr's well-Enown
.BarbarA Freitchie." A leading New York
journal once characterized It aa ia bsl1ad
that viii live - long Is the wN is remember
Cd; )" and Putnunp's Aonoely his twice pointed
to it aa 4 genuine fnspir1tion. Nor his its
fame been confined 10 this country. 4 liter
ary nobIenan of England wrote to an Ameri-
can poet, requesting him 70 procure, II posi-.
bic, an autograph copy OF the song.
In every place it has appeared Anonym monsly,
ezcept in Miss M.son'e compilation, publlahed
in Baltimore; BY hex It is erroueouHly ascribed
to one "De Riviera" OF courbe, its text, BY
frequent repsinting, has suffered much dam.
| age ut the hands OF printers and proof-reAders.
With tho exception Of the original draft in the
| old Rtpssbhe0n, and copy Furnished long IT
| t-rwafd BY the New York Round 1dble, thu
| one here giEen is the only correct copy evel
| printed.
In virginia the autho1ship has commonl,
! A. vk.5,. t%x4v