The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-18
A SONG THAT WON THE DAY
Story by the Late Congressman Lairdof
the Battle OF GaineS'S Mills.
His Death Not Likely to Affect the Congress-
ional Majority-Changes Recommended in
che Civil Service Rules-General News.
A SONG THAT WON A BATTLE.

Story Told by the Late Congressman Laird
Effect of His Demise on the House.
Special TO the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 17.-It is the custom
for the Marine Bandt to give a concert on the
lawn in the rear of the White House every
Saturday afternoon when the weather is
fine. Thousands of people congregate to
hear the music. This was one of the most
pleasant days of the summer. and long be-
fore Professor Sousa, the director, began to
WELD his baton hundreds of music. lovers
were waiting for the first strains. One of
them had a copy of an evening paper in his
hand, and exclaimed as he glanced at the
sheet: by George, Jim Laird is dead!'
His neighbor expressed surprise and sor-
row at the news, and remarked: 1T is
strange that 1 should have learned of
Laird's death on this spot. The last time
that l came to one of these concerts I was
in company with Laird. We sat right on
this seat. The band had just finished the
Marseillaise, when Laird said: It's wonder
full what power of inspiration that
hymn has for a man. / think it
would force a coward to fight like a tiger.
We have no really inspiring. airs which
may be called purely national, but re-
member that on one occasion an air which
was very. popular during the war had a
wonderful effect upon the men.
"During the war l served with a Michi-
gan cavalry regiment, and our ~chaplain
was a man of wonderful physique and
powerful mold. At the battle of Gaines's
Mills we had received a very severe set
back. We were all but utterly demOralized,
and a stampede seemed imminent. The
chaplain. whose six feet four lowered
the situation at a glance, and realized that
something must be done, and lone quickly.
His spurs fairly seemed to make blood fly
out of the TANKS of his horse as be
rode over toward the bugler. In
fnotheE Moment Rod~, ws the f nots, of John tbn
air: The other buglers took up the strain
and the effect was instantaneous. The
men halted from their rush backwards.
while they listened for a moment to the
chance, and in an instant he had started
the words of the melody. As though there
was a previous understanding every man
joined IN, and pretty soon a thousand voices
were yelling, His soul goes marching on
That song saved the day for our regi-
ment. 1t was one of the most thrilling
sights ever seen on the battlefield, and il
l ever have to lead q cavalry charge l shall
certainly have the buglers massed some.
where near where their music will give
nerve to the men,"
1t is not thought that the death OF
MIR. Laird will have any effect upon
the Presidents intentions concerning the
call for an extra session of Congress
1t is thought here that the Governor of
Nebraska will be likely to call a special
election TO fill the vacancy before the regu.
Lax fall election of Nebraska. This may
be done, but inasmuch as there is very
little probability that Congress will be
convened in any event before the %certifi-
Gates of members from the new States ARE
filed with the clerk, the Republicans will
have q majority in spite of the fact that
there nay be n vacancy in the representation
district is Republican without doubt, and
Nebraskans who know the situation in the
State think that the successor to Laird is
likely to be George III. Hastings, of Crete
who was the electOr from the district last
fall.