The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-04
THE SONGS OF THE WAR.
Some RecOllectiOns of the Music That In
spired the boys of 81"
Written for the Sunday journal.

Written for the Sunday journal
When we review the various agencies
which enabled the loyal North to suppress
the rebellion we are wont to ignore the
power OF our national songs 1t is an old
maxim, Let me but write nations
songs and i care not who makes its
laws" While this is true in times
of peace, it is especially true in
war times. When we go back to
the days of 1861, after the fall of Sumter,
we recall the first "war meetings where
we listened to soul-stirring addresses.
We recall the stirring music of the
fife and drum. We hear the tread
of our brave boys as they marched
forth to battle. Glorious memories
are these. We never tire of recalling them.
But we forget that every sheet of paper
upon which we wrote letters, every en-
velope in which we inclosed them, were
filled with fervid Union sentiments. We
forget the songs of that time which stirred
the hearts of loyal men as nothing else did.
At first it was the old songs. 1.-THE Star
spangled Banner" was played and sung as
it has never been since. Columbia, the
Gem of the Ocean," was a favorite; Hail
Columbia" was sung with that fervOr
which brought out its beauty and subiim-
ity; Yankee Doodle" which had been a
popular air, now seemed freighted with a
double meaning: my Country. IT'S of
the first time; az PluriJus Unum"
was cheered to the echo. "A Thousand
Years" took the place of "Old Hundred"
Scarcely had these old songs been sung ere
we welcomed the first war songs. / recall
couple of stanzas of the first one that /
heard. 1t ran thus:
Old Scott brought ont wagon
That had run for many years;
He hitched ''Old Union" to the cart
And creased the running gears.
Says he. Mcclellan, you're the boy
want to take my place;
So jump into the wagon
And give 'Secesh' q race.
New York and Pennsylvania,
And host of Yankee boys
Jumped into the wagon
And called on Illinois.
Ohio jumped In after.
And thought she'd try her luck
While Indiana threw her arms
Around brave old Kentuck
Then followed in quick succession host
of others. Scarcely had the gallant Els
worth fallen till we heard Wrap the Flag
Around Him, Boys" Brave Boys Are
They" and Rally round the Flag, Boys"
As the war progressed the songs improved.
1.-THE Year of Jubilee" "Sherman's March
to the Sea-" Marching through Georgia"
"All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight
when This Cruel War Is Over" followed
in quick succession. 1t is impossible to
reckon as to the influence of these songs in
the struggle. Fired by them, thousands
stepped forth into the ranks of war. Away
in the camps they banished dependency and
cheered the soldiers to deeds of heroism.
Just Before the Battle, Mother" Tent
ing on the Old Camp-ground" were sung
there and no elOquence could produce the
effect on the men that these songs did.
The South was not behind in their songs.
save that they were fewer MY Mary
land,r Dixie" and "Thc Bonnie Blue
Flag" are all that have survived. OF their
poets none eqnaled Father Ryan, the Harp
of the South"
Victory came at last to crown the Union
arms. The armies disbanded and the
Union was saved. Nearly a quarter of a
century has elapsed since that day. 1t
is well that we pause and render tribute
to the ''bards" who gave us our war-sOngs.
Who can estimate how much we owe to
them-how much Of Sheridan's fame is due
to L. Buchanan Read for writing 'Sheri-
dams Ride;" how much we owe to Whittier
for his inspired poems. No history of the
war is complete that does not give honor 10
these. Should our Nation ever be i'm
broiled in other wars, there will arise 9th
ers who will inspire their generations with
hope and courage. as did the poets of our
last war. Truly. truly. he who writes a
nations songs is greater than he who makes
her laws. i. j. CHARLToN.