Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1893-02-25
SHERiD ANS RIDE.
A New story Of the Compo.itioa OF the
Famous Poem.

l
The poem OF T. Buchanan Read,
celebrating the great ride uf sheridan
and Winchester, l. known to every
schoolboy In the land. !, Is one OF
those stirring pieces tha, fire tho
heart and sink deep into the brain. to
be engraved on the tables oi memory
forever.
Colonel Burr. that stalwart Michi-
gan soldier, told the story Of how tho
poem was written, says the Chicago
Tribune. IL Is "a tale tha, every one
should know ~ a matter Of historic
"Reminiscences.
''Ohc OF the figures on the lecture
| platform during the war" said
Colonel Burr, was james T.. MUIR
dock, who did "a world uf good giving
entertainments Ia aid of the army.
Along about the time of the battle of
Cedar Creek the ladies Of Cincinnati
concluded to give him reception in
acknowledgment Of his many good
services to the cause.
"Murdock was stopping with Cy
iarrctt, the brother-in-law Of Road,
the poet. On the afternoon preccd.
ing the entertainment Cy Garrett
came into the room whore Read and
Murdock were chatting. In his hand
hc held IA copy OF II New York illus
tratcd paper. Pointing to the front
pagc--a picture Of sheridan ON his
chargcr-hc said, There. Read, some
body has gotten ahead Of you on that
subject; II IL just In your line; you
should have done that Yourself
That IL so. mused Read, the gifted
painter poet. looking at the picture
In the paper. And, went ON Garrett.
the next thing you know some ono
will get ahead Of you with q poem on
the subject Now. Il chanced that
Murdock had been asking Read for q
new poem to be given that night at
his entertainment and Read had ro-
sponded that that was impossible. as
the time was 20 short. Murdock, ap-
prcciating Cy Garrctt's suggestions.
turned 10 Read and said. Now. there
IL your chance! Write me up a stir
ring thing ON this incident Read
finally said he would try. The idea
was that he would write any Jingle In
rhyme, with tho privilege Of revising
IL before IL was given out for publica-
tion. He went up stairs, staying
there for several hours. By and by
Mrs. Read came down. saying that +.
Buchanan had ordered some strong
tea. and had given orders that he
was not to bo disturbed unless the
very house was on FIRE. In couple
Of hours the poem was brought down
stairs completed!
THAT night there was u tremendous
jam Of the people at the opera house.
Murdock was 10 bc presented with q
silk flag, Fighting Joe Hooker pre-
sided. but that gallant soldier was 40
overcome with emotion that no could
scarcely make the presentation
speech. Murdock bent forward and
kissed the nag amid widest applause.
responded simply and then advanced
with dramatic force and hre " recite
Reads poem,
AT the conclusion Of the poem q
wild scene of enthusiasm followed.
Men threw up their hats, women wept;
IL was many minutes before quiet
could be restored, II was ono Of tho
most famous scenes In all the history
OF tho wa,
Years after, one night. T. Buch-
anan Read had the pleasure Of being
asked IN contribute something TO the
evenings enjoyment Mt u party given
at the home Of William Cullen Bryant.
In honor oi that venerable bard's
birthday. Read, with telling power.
stood up and rocited how Sheridan
and Winchester had saved tho day at
Cedar Greek. Whittier, his eyes dim
with tears, grasped the hand OF his
friend and said with great emotioni
Thanks, thanks; your poem will
live ~ long ~ "l.ochinvar."