The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-06-02

THE HISTORY OF THE WRITING or T.
BUCHANAN READS FAMOUS POEM.
A splendid lyrec which has been
,ronounced one of the most fervently

thor might have sang later is theme
of glory, no mortal eau tell.
| Mr.. Cyras Garrett, brother in-law
of Thomas Buchanan Read, with
whom the artist and bis family some
time resided on West Eighth street,
that morning discovered in Harper's
Weekly spirited drawing by Thos
Mast. representing Gen. Philip Sher-
Iidan mounted and tearing madly
along the road, far ahead of bis es-
cort," to join his troops twenty miles
away.
While at breakfast, che did not
dream of the terrible route and dis
aster lowering at that moment over
his army, but as he rode out Of Win
chester the vibrations of the ground,
under heavy discharges Of artillery
in th distance, gave him the first in-
timations of danger. Five anxious
hours the desperate struggle went on
before Sheridan arrived upon the
Geld. Encountering, as he nesred II,
some of his retresing soldiers, be
swung his cap over his head and
shouted: Face the other way, boys !
face the other way % as be galloped
to the front. Under his quick COM
mands the broken ranks were soon
reformed, and for two hours more the
poor soldiers who had eaten nothing
since the night previous, obeyed the
inspiration of his presence aud that
wonderful victory followed. The
first pictured illustration of that fs-
nous ride Mr. Garrett held before Mr..
Reads eyes.
"Look at this, my boy? Isn't there
poem in it? There's chance for
you write one"
The poets dark eyes centered on
the picture. There are moments
which time itself measures. Perhaps
with a swell of enthusiasm, q more
than poetical sffiatus, the blood Of
pstroit already dashing in his veins
faster and faster,' be thus replied to
Mr.. Garrett: GAY, but poem is not
to be written in a minute, nor as
easy as you can order q new coat at
Sprague'sl" !"
George Gilfillan has declared that
the secret of Thomas Csmpbell's sue
cess as poet, was that of enthusi-
asm sudoed; requirement that is
not often understood, as the critic
adds. If in Campbelps case, the same
must be true of many personal expe-
risnces and exploits.
Notwithstanding his prompt al
lusion to the tailor, by any other the
ory than subdued enthusiasm, would
be anomalous, Mr.. Read was at the
moment inspired, and as though Mr..
Nast's drawing had been camera,
Erefecting the whole twenty miles Of
that dashing ride in moveless mys-
terry of the poetry motion. The wit
ty caricsturist probably has never
fancied himself to have been the
medium" Of immortal verse which
converted the victor's wild olive
leaves on Phil. Sheridsn's brow to
flowers of amaranth
Mr.. Read retired and wrote the
poem. Emerging two or three hours
later from his labratory of thought,
he read "Sheridan's Ride" to o de-
lighted family circle.
Itappears that James f. Murdoch,
q frequent guest Of Mr. Garretb's
house, and Mr. Davis, war correspon-
dent of Harper's both chanced to he
present. Then Mrs. Resde was as.
signed the pleasant task Of copying
the poem in large text in order that
the tragedian might easily memorize
1t for that evenings programme at
Pixies Opera House, the old struct-
ure which twelve month later Ike
fairy fabric, departed in a shower
of burning fakes on the streets of
Cincinnati. Leaving Mr.. Murdoek
vigorously committing the lines with
appropriate gesticulstion Mr. Read
and Mr. Davis sauntered forth to call
on various friends. To one of them,
ss they entered, the poet. with a ra-
dent face exclaimed: "Welt--I
struck OFF new poem this morning.
II is fresh from the ovenlr
Naturally, from the appreciative
confdant, suitable inquiries and con-
gratulations followed, with confes-
sion of curiosity.
A grand ovation to Mr.. Murdoch,
whose devotion to bis country had
been evinced by many labors of love,
occurred on that evening. The oc-
casion was illuminated with the in
tellect of Cincinnati's fayorites and
the splendor Of her fashion. Mayor
Len. Harris advanced to the foot
lights with Mr.. Murdoch, and read
tasteful Introductory address Mr..
Murdoch's response expressed his
deep gratitude for the honor confer
red upon himself, and he opened his
recitations with Byron's impassion-
ed lament over Greece, following it
by Reads poem, Drifting" thus
casting dreamy sensuous spell over
the audience. The great tragedian
then requested permission 70 read q
poem which on that mornings dawn
was uncreated. Then "Sheridan's
Ride,"in in which Mr.. Murdoch's grand
tones thrilled the vast throng Of
listeners. The crowning feature of
the evening was the presentation OF
a flag by the hero of Lookout Mount
ain to the tragedian, who, on receiv-
ing it, pressed the margin reverently
to his lips. and made a graceful re-
sponse.
In considering the first meager re.
port of the victory at Cedar Greek,
which it is declared was due to the
personal presence of General Sheri-
dan alone, who by that desperate ride
met the billows of war in time to
turn them back. we can accord to 7.
Buchanan Reads genius the power
of prophetic light Il has been claim
ed by poet that all great poets are
prophets. In writing that military If
not martial lyric, his soulwent rever-
emily forward to the awful scene, be-
holding the need of the commanders
presence, while also beating with
"The heart of the steed and the
heart of the MASTER all the way