The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-03-15
Union War Songs and Confederate
Officers.

The reading OF Mr.. Brander Mat.he " I
"Songs Of the War;" in the Century, vivid
y recalls to mind an incident OF my owl
experience which seems to me so apt al
illustration of the effect OF army songs up
on men that venture to send it to you as
| remember it, after twenty two years.
A day or two after Lees surrender, ir
April, 1865, l left our ship at Dutch
Gap" in the James River, for run up tc
Richmond, where l was joined by the
ships surgeon, the paymaster and one oI
the Junior officers. After doing" Rich
mond pretty thoroughly, we went in the
evening to my rooms for dinner. Dinner
being ever, and the events Of the day re-
counted, the doctor, fine player, opened
the piano, saying: Boys, we've got our
old quartette here; let's have q sing" As
the house opposite was occupied by pa.
rolled Confederate officers, no patriotic
songs were sung Soon the lady OF the
mouse Danutu NE LUIS nOLe.
Compliments Of Gen - and staff
Will the gentlemen kindly allow us to
come over and hear them singf' Vi
course we consented, and they came. As
the general entered the room, l recognized
instantly the face and figure OF one who
was second only to Lee and jackson in the
whole Confederacy. After introductions
and the usual interchange Of civilities; we
sang for them glees aud college songs,
until at last the general said:
Excuse me; gentlemen, you sing de-
lightiully, but what we want to hear is
your army songs" Then we gave them
the army songs with nnclion, the Battle
Hymn Of the Republic" John Browns
Body" "We're Coming, Father Abrs
ham. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp. the Boys
are Marching" through the whole csta-
logue, to the "Siar Spapgled Banner, =
to Which many loot beat time as II ii
had never stepped to any but the music
OF the Union, and closed our concert
with Rally Round the Flag. Boys" T"
When the applause had snbsided. tall.
fine looking fellow in majors uniform
exclaimed: Gentlemen, il we'd had your
songs we'd have licked yon out OF your
boots Who couldn't have marched OF
fought With such songs While we bad
nothing, absolutely nothing, except q
bastard 'Marseillaise, The 'Bonny Blue
Flag and Dixie, which we're nothing hut
iigs. Maryland. my Maryland was 9
spleudid song, bu, the true old 'Lsuriger
Horatius was about ~ inspiring IS the
Dead March in Saul, while every one oi
these Yankee songs is full OF marching
aud fighting spirit" Then turning to the
general he said II shall never forget the
first time heard Rally Round the Flag.
Twas a nasty night during the Seven
Days Fight ani II remember rightly IL
was raining was on picket. when, just
before taps. some ielloS on the other
side struck up tha, song, aud Others join
ed 10 the chorus. ua,il IL seemed 70 me the
whole isnkee army was singing Tom
b., vho WAS With me. sang out. Good
heavens Cap. shat are those fellows made
oi. abyway Here. we've licked en- sir days
running. and Byx on the eve of the sew
ea,h. they're singing Rally Round the
Flag. sm not naturally supentiiious.
bnt tell you that song sounded TO me
lite the 'knsll Of doom, ADD ny heart
vent do~n tito my boots; snd though I've
tried 10 my duty. il has been sn op
bill hght With me ever since ths. hight !"
TIE little company oi Union singers