The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1879-01-19
aasraing Star and Catholic Messenger.
ST0NEWALL JACKsoNS WAY.
A CONFEDERATE SONG THAT MADE ITS MARK
IN THE WORLD.

IN THE WORLD.
"Stonewall Jackson's Way" was writer
Mt Oakland, Allegheny County, Nd, al
most within hearing of the guns of Sharpe
burg. About ten days after that battle il
first appeared in the columns of tho Balti-
more Republican (by the anthor), headed
Found on the body of Sergeant of the
Old S:onewall Brigade, killed at Winches.
ter" The original copy had dropped from
his pocket in the heart of the Federal
sncampment in Antietam, he being then
a special correspondent of Northern
journal.
Taken from the Republican, 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 popularity sung
throughout Virginia, and especially in the
Confederate army in the valley, was COM
posed by young Frederick Bentee, re-
markable musical genius, whose early
death was not only private but public
loss. The "sympathisers" of Baltimore
caught the tune IS eagerly as they had that
| of "My Maryland" but their enthusiasm
met with q rude check at the handle of the
reigning provost marshal, who seized and
burned the sheets, destroyed the plates,
and cauterized the wound Inflicted upon
loyal hearts by applying red oath of allie
glance to several of the music sellers of
the city.
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 it's origin and authorship. AT
one time the title of the song was used as
q handy newspaper phrase to describe the
characteristic exploits of the hero; and
"Stonewall Jackson's Way" appeared at
the head of reports and editorials in the
Southern prees.
Sc Al, IT, -
we may mention that DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmes, in his lively lecture on the "Songs
of the War;" spoke of "Stonewall Jacksons
Way" as "by far the best song that had
come from the rebel side" Another writer
citesit as fine example of the true and stir
ring ballad, comparing it with Whittler's
Unknown barbara Frietchie." A lead
ing New York journal once characterized
it as q "ballad that will live as long as the
war is remem bered ;" and Putnam s Monthly
has twice pointed to it as genuine inspl-
ration. Nor has its fame been confined to
this country. A literary nobleman of Eng
land wrote to an American poet requesting
him to procure, if possible, an autograph
copy of the song.
But the song had already gone through
1.-The lines." 1t was reprinted in Rich
mond aud gaily sung by every woman and
child in the valley of Virginia, especially
by the admirers of General Jeb. Stuart,
the author In passing alone and by night
from General Bceckenridge's army (then
lying near Woodstock) to Richmond, was
arrested at Gordonsville as a ederai spy,
and while guarded by two sentres IN the
pnblic room of an inn, was recognized by
stranger ae the man who wrote "Stonewali
Jackson's way"
In every place it has appeared anony-
mously except in Miss Mason's compilation,
published in Baltimore. BY her it is
enormously ascribed to one ODE R!Vlere."
OF course it's text, by frequent reprinting,
has suffered much damage at the hands OF
the printers proof readers. With the ex.
ception of tho original draft in the old
Republican, and COPY furnished long
afterwards by the New York Round Table,
tho one here given q the only correct copy
ever produced.
In Virginia the authorship has common
~ been attributed to u very Uncertain
'lady" The Legitimate parent OF the song
is a we'll known jouTpahet aud magazine
writer, formerly OF Bait IN ore, whose name
10 familiar to the readers OF the Atlantic
Monthly and many ladies and gentlemen
of that city are c.guizAnt of the tacts here
first made public setting forth the true
story of "Stoncwal Jackson's Way"
sToNEwALL JACKsoN'S WAY.
Come, stack arms, men! Pile on the rAis'
stir up the campfire bright
No matter II the cAnteen fallG-
Here Shenandoah brawls along.
There burlV Blue Ridge echoes strong,
To swell the brigado's rousng song
Or Stone vail JRoksons way.
We see him now; the queer slouched hate
Cccked DER his eye Askew;
The shrewd, dry smilei the speech 80 pAS'
TO calm, 90 blunt, so true
The old Elc er knows them well
Save he, '1hsL's BSnks; he's fond OF shell
Lord save hls souIl Well give him"-Weu
1hALs stone wall JAoksOn'S way.
Silencei Ground arms! Kneel all Caps off
Old Blue Zig hts going TO pray
Strange the fool that dAres 10 scod-
Attention. Its his way.
Appealing from HE native sod
In JOTmG pnuperIS to God
lay bare thine arm Stretch forth Thy Rod i
Amen = That's StonewAns way.
He's In the saddle now. Fall in
Steady the whole br 9sde,
Hall at the furd-cut Off well win
His way out ball and blade!
What matter IL our shoes are worn
What matter If our feet be torn
Quick sepl We're with him before morn!
That's StonewAll JAG kson's way
The suu q bright lances ro1t the mists
OF morning and. by George!
Here's LongsJreet struggling IN the lists,
Hemmed in ugly gorge