The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-06-01
From the New York World, May lst.
The Story Of q Rebel Song.
! BY A LADY OF BALTIMORE.

SER - BY LADY OF BALTIMORE.
..Stonewall Jackson's Way" was written
Mt Oakland, Allegheny county, Md, almost
within hearing Of the guns of Antietam.
About ten days after that battle 1t first APP
peared In print in the columns Of the Bal
timore Republican,, headed (by the a.ithor)
"Found on the Body Of a Sergeant of The
Old Stonewall Brigade, Killed at Winches-
ter" The original copy had dropped from
his pocket in the heart of the Federal en-
campment at Antietam, he being then
special correspondent of northern journal.
Taken from the Republican, the song was
at once set to music and published simulta-
neously by two music-dealers in Baltimore,
but with different airs. The one to which
it was popularity sung throughout Virginia,
and especially in the Confederate army in
the Valley, was composed by young Frede-
rick Benteen, a remarkable musical genius,
whose early death was not only private
but public loss. The sympathizers" of
Baltimore caught the tune as eagerly rs
they had that of "My Maryland"; but
their enthusiasm met with rude check ut
the hands of the reigning provost-marshal,
who seized and burned the sheets, de-
stroyed the plates, and cauterized the
wound inflicted upon loyal hearts by apply
of the music-sellers Of the city.
But the song had already gone through
''the lines" It was reprinted in Richmond,
and gaiiy sung by every woman and child
in the Valley Of Virginia-especially by the
admirers of General Jeb Stuart, with whom
it was o fayorite ditty. Once the author, in
passing alone and by night from General
Breekinridge's army then lying near Wood
stock to Richmond, was arrested at Cor
louisville as Federal spy, and while
guarded by two sentries in the public room
Of an inn was recognized by stranger as
the man who wrote 'Stonewal Jackson's
Way" .. .-{ .rn-. j.
In 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 n
handy newspaper phrase to describe the
characteristic exploits Of its hero; and
the head of reports and editorials in the,
southern press. j. : -
As an example Of the interest it aroused,
we may mention that DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmes, in his lively lecture on the "Songs
Of the War;" spoke Of Sc Stonewan jack
sons Way" as by far the best song that had
come from the rebel side. Another writer.
DIR. Richard Grant White) cites it as a
fine example Of the true and stirring ballad,
comparing it with Whittier' q" we'll known
Barbara Freitchie." A leading New York
that will live as long as the war is remem-
bered;' and PsltaGm 8 Monthly has twice
pointed to it as q genuine inspiration. Nor
has It's fame been confined to this country
A literary nobleman OF England wrote to
an American poet, requesting him to pro-
cure II possible an autograph copy Of the
song. *.
In every place It has appeared anony-
mously, except in Miss MaSon's compila-
ton, published In Baltimore BY her it is
enormously ascribed to one "De Riyiere."
VI course, its text, by frequent reprinting,
has suffered much damage at the hands Of
printers and preofEeaders. With the eS-:
ception OF the original draft in the old Re-
pEoHcdH aud q copy furnished long after
wards to the New York Rou,ad TG6le. tho
one here given is the only correct copy ever
printed. so. -.
In Virginia the authorship has commonly
been attributed to avery uncertain :. lady,
The legitimate parent Of the song is well
known Journalist and magazine writer, for
merry OF Baltimore, whose name Is familiar
to the readers Of the atlantic Monthly; and
many ladies and gentlemen of that CITY are
c0gniZant OF the facts here first made nub.
lie, setting forth the true story of "Stone-
wal Jeckson's Way - t;se
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