New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-17
THE STORY OF Il POEM.
NJ surr1pAN's RIDE WAS WRITTEN

now sHrRIpANs RIDE WAS WRITTEN.
Inst now when the grca, cavalry commander grave
"a vet ncw-msdc and green on tho slopes OF Arns'o'
where all that is mortal of him peacefully rests among
thousands of the unknown dead heroes OF the war;
Il may lie interesting your readers to have the rue
story Of the origin and appearance OF that dramatic
pocm Of Thomas Buchanan Read shcridan's h'de,
~ which so many varying accounts have been pub
l.shed. and none correct
Nur,och and Read were warm friends. Murdoch
had for many NOTWITHSTANDING from the death Oh MS son
A. cbickamauea-devotcd his entire time and great
talents to the cause OF the Union In the form OF ieau
incs and for the benefit Of that grand organ
,yatson the sanitary Commission contributing by his
csona, efforts tens Of thousands Of dollars for the
comfort and relief Of the soldiers in the hed IL was
noblc work and nobly DONE and as happy ana proper
recognition OF It he 10 be the recipient OF an
ovation at pixies Opera House, Cincinnati, rendered
him BIZ the ladies Of the soldiers Aid societies OF Ohio
He was at that time-the battle of Winchester had
trs becn fought and the ceremony was to take place
on the evening Of the day speak OLA guest at the
house of Mr.. Cyrus Garrett, In Cincinnati MI Read'
the poot painter making his home with that gentle
man. WHO was his brotlRrn-law. At breakfast MI
Garrett came to the table with copy OF Harpers
Weekly. which contained spirited picture OF SHERIDAN
on the black horse dashng down the lines; he threw
tho naner on the table, rcmarking: There Read they
have cot ahead of you this with the picture and
II you don't look out they will take the pcad Out VI
your mouth by writing poem
Murdoch said: "yes. Read, write poem and
will give II this evening"; TO which Read replied " L
cannot do It, You cannot order poem as you would
coat Besides there are many excellent poems cole
bra,ing rides as Iochinvar's Ride Paul Revere's
Ride .Thc Ride from Client to AK, ETC." STILL Muir
doch urged he could do It, and as he left the taoe
Mt 10 o'clock Mrs Read came down STAIRS ana said'
buchanan has ordered pot OF strong tea ana says
he does not intend to leave his room until he has written
. poem.'
At O'Clock ne called Murdoch up stairs and read 10
him the poem of Shcridans Ride now so we'll known
and 81 famous Mrs. Read copied II for him, and at 8
o'clock that night he NIurioch read ii before an all
dIencc that packed Pixies Opera House from orchestra
IN gallery Taken by SURPRISE there was the widest
enthusiasm and as each gained the applause
increased until when the last five miles was rcached'
the audience broke out into tumultuous applause ana
rose in n body cheering and waving their handker-
chiefs
MIR Murdoch adds: "This IS how 'sheridans Ride
was written and the way IL first read and received
Tho language OF the poem was never changed. one
stanza added after the FIRST reading-tne one IT.
feripg TO the fifteen miles away SO many persons
have given such remarkable accounts all ust
am glad give you the true one MIS-. 4. Is t.cac -
stl living. In Phladelphia> and Will Vouch lor te
accuracy Of this statement 1t is quite joke In my
family Here is another true story Oh inc ons' VI
'sheIidan's Ride .,..s ,r,.h Canaan,
sheridan and on several casons during the war rode
the black horse under fire OF the enemy guns.
cral joe Hooker presented nm MN nSS Uh Grn
,rsl sheridan much graihed by the pocn anu shs
Mr. Murdoch beautiful letter. and shoe worn py the
az those concerned in the origin of this poem, the
actors in the DRAMA Sheridan and the famous DlacA
sced the poet Read and the reader oRy
Tho summons the others have heard and answered