The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-12-22
SHERIDAN'S RIDE.
A NEw STORY OF THE COMPOSITION OF
THE FAMOUS POEM.

THE FAMOUS POEM.
Chicago Tribune: The poem Of [.
Buchanan Read. celebrating the great
ride OF Sheridan and Winchester, IS
known to every schoolboy in the land
1t is one of those stirring pieces that
fire the heart and sink deep into the
brain. to be engraved on the tables Of
memory forever.
Col. Burr, that stalwart Michigan
soldier told the story of how the poem
was written. 1t is tale that every
one should know as matter OF historic
"Reminiscences
"One of the figures on the lecture
platform during the war;" said Col.
Burr. twas James f. Murdoch who
did a world of good giving entertain
ments in laid Of the army. Along
about the time Of the battle of Cedar
Greek. the ladies of Cincinnati con-
Guided to give him a reception in ac-
acknowledgement of his many good ser
vices to the cause.
"MurdOck was stopping with Cy
Garrett. the brother in-law of Read
the poet. On the afternoon preceding
the entertainment Cy Garrett came
into the room where Read and Muir
dock We're chatting. In his hand he
held a copy of a New York illustrated
paper. Pointing to the front page
a picture Of Sheridan on his charger
he said There, Read, somebody
has gotten ahead of you on that sub
ject; it is Just in your line; You should
have done that YOURSELF That is so,
unused Read, the gifted painter poet,
looking at the picture in the paper.
And went on Garret. the next thing
you know some one will get ahead Of
you with a poem on the subject Now
it CHANGED that Murdoch had been
asking Read for new poem to be
given that night at his entertainment
and Read had responded that that was
impossible. as the time was SO short.
Murdoch, approaching Cy CARROTS
suggestions, turned to Read and said
Now, there is your chance! Write
me up stirring thing on this incid
dent Read finally said he would try.
The idea was that he would write any
jingle in rhyme, with the privilege of
revising it before it was given out for
publication, He went up stairs, stay
ing there for several hours BY and
by Mrs Read came down saying that
L. Buchanan had ordered some strong
tea. and had given orders that he was
not to be disturbed unless the very
house was on fire. In couple OF
hours the poem was brought down
stairs completed.
That night there was a tremendous
jam of people at the opera house
Murdoch was to be presented with a
silk flag Fighting Joe Hooker pre-
sided, but that gallant soldier was sc
overcome with emotion that he could
scarcely make the presentation speech
Murdoch bent forward and kissed the
flag amid the widest applause, re
| spo4-ling simply and then advanced
to the front of the stage and began
| with dramatic force and fire to recite
Reads poem.
AT the conclusion of the poem q
wild scene of enthusiasm followed
Men their up their hats, women wept
| it was many minutes before quiet
could be restored 1t was one of the
famous scenes in all the history Of the
| war.
Years after, one night. I. Buchan-
an Read had the pleasure of being
asked to contribute something to the
evenings enjoyment at a party giver
at the home of William Cullen Bryant
in honor of that venerable bard's
birthday. Read. with telling power
stood up and recited how Sheridan
and Winchester had saved the day al
Cedar Greek. Whittier, his eyes din
with tears, grasped the hand of his
friend and said with great emotion:
Thanks, thanks; your poem will
live as long as 'Lockinvar"'"