The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-18
The 9Slailg Argns,
HOLD THE FORT
Gen. John M. Corse, of Illinois.

Gen. John NJ. Corse, of Illinois, one Of
the Democratic soldiers who took part in |
the great Democratic soldiers meeting 1T
Indianapolis, is the hero of an achieve
ment which will be remembered as long as
the history of the country exists, and |
which, strangely enough, is the founda- |
ton for one of the most stirring revival
songs of the day of the finest Sur
day sehoo Is songs ever written, entitled
Hold the Fort" Does any body know when
and how the phrase orikinated-"Hold
the fort, for | am Coming?"
Here is the story:
When Sherman was holding Atlanta,
aud stripping his army for his famous
march to the sea-" Hoods army was
suddenly thrown on Allatoona Pass, which
was defended by fort commanded by
Corse. The position was nearly. or quite,
fifty miles from the headquarters o:
Sherman. and its vital importance was
known In both armies and to its gallant
commander. When the enemy approach
| ed, Corse made up his mind that the
position must be held at all costs, and he
told the men that there would be no re-
treat nor surrender. Kenesaw Mountain
overlooked the Pass, and on the summit
was signal station, and alter Corse had
sent message informing Sherman OF the
attack an. his purpose of making des-
perate defense, he addressed himself to
the work at hand with vigor which wil'
always be the theme of song and story.
The attack began early in the morning,
and the heavy masses of the Confederate
troops were pushing with great oetermina-
ton close up to the works, and at one
time entered small redoubt, but were
driven back at every assault. About ten
O'Clock A. NJ, as one who was there"
we'll remembers, the signal station har
gave message which was not clearly dis
tinguished, because Of the heavy smoke
which hung over our lines, but in few
moments the assault slackened a little
aud as the smuke blew away, the message
was read, Hold the tort; we are coming!
The message was repeated TO all the regi
mental commanders, a..d was read in every
battery, and it was received everywhere
with great cheers 1t was the only mes
sage received that day. but Sherman or
dered it repeated from time to time durlDl
E the day. and whenever the immediate duty
+ would permit, or the smoke would ALLOW
/ the flag to be seen, every eye was turned
to the white flag, with its crimson square
standing out boldly in relief against tn,
o clear sky, and it always said. Hold th'
fort; We are coming 1t was from thi
evens that the burden otSaukey' $ religion
Z song was taken, which has been sung il
! all the great religious meetings whereve
the English language is spoken. Cors
got severe wound, and the losses 10 Ii
command were heavy. but iE the afternoo,
the losses of the enemy were So great tina
the assault was partly discontinued
; Corse then sent the following dispatch
ALLATooNA, GA, Oct &, 1864 p. NJ.
Captain l.. NJ. Dayton, Aide e-Camp:
am sh TT a cheek bone and ear, but am abb
to whip all HI yet! My losses heavy.
force N wing from Stiesburo TO Kingston gives N
some anxiety. Tell me where sherman Is.
JOHN NJ C0RSE,
4 Brigadier General
He Gid hold the fort" and Sherma
q did come" he got well of his wound an
and marched to the sea, he was appointe
C Hector OF customs of Chicago. and WI
(. turned out by Grant and he has lived !ou
It, enough to take part, with other bra,
- men, iu the Indianapolis meeting. and
= be stigmatized with them as tramp,
dead beat and a rebel by the editors wi
= serve the whisky ring and the other par
of the Republican party.