The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-05
PATRiJlI>M IN aUNG.
War Lyrics Sung by n Chorus Rouse
Chicago Enthusiasm.

Chicago Herald.
Gray haired men grew young with the
roll of the drums; eyes, fast dimming with
the flight of years. flashed back the CLEAN
of Furnished arms; bent frames became
erect, as the shrill bugle sounded through
the hall, and, when the swinging chorus of
the battle hymn of the republic swelied out
over the vast audience, the veterans of 81
saw a vision of long blue columns wheeling
into action, while the deep sounding organ
gave forth the thread of marching hosts;
and the unbidden tears blinded him with the
smoke from the cannon that Doomed in the
ears of memory.
The Auditorium looked warlike last night.
In the west lobby the men of Company II,
First Regiment, 1. N. G., slim ard trim in
their full dress uniforms of gray, stood
guard. Statuesque militiamen lined the
broad stairways that sweep up to the grand
foyer. Midway the tiers of boxes, on eitner
side of the house. was one heavily draped
with flags. AS the people flied INTO TIE
parquet the glitter of the gilded epaulette
and the ciatter of the blade in the scapoaro
shoulder and the flash OF my ladys uia-
monds. Down in front, where Arditl mas SO
often marshaled his fiddlers, was the mar
tial band of the Second Regiment lhsTe
We're 5000 persons in the hall Wnen tue
curtain s r t 81 r ole i up tpe on sors a s and the s war song
concert, for the benefit of the Presbyterian
Hospital, commenced.
The buglers from Fort Sheridan sounded
the reveille, and then Bicknen. Young's
strong, GEAR voice rang ouI with: Nine
eyes have seen the glory of the coming OF
the Lord" One hundred and nifty men,
led by Frederick W. Root, accompanied by
the Second Regiment Band and Clarence
and, as the last notes d.ed away. a S, IN
of applause swept over the house and made
the rafters ring. Then c al s one E hundred q1nifed
States Infantry at Fort Sheridan, under the
mman of Lieutenant Maxwell, going
through the manual of arms in a style that
who occupied one of the fag-decorated
boxes. CLEAN with satisfaction.
the full chorus followed, with Emerson's
stirring song. 1--WE Are Coming, Father
Abraham" The house was suddenly dart,
white canvas at the back of the stage, the
rugged, kindly face of Abraham Lincoln
looked out upon the tnrong for an instant.
Then the lights flashed up again and a
thousand eyes were turned on a .portly.
tuli-bearded man, who SAT in the box OF
honor opposite to General Ruger and f1ushed
with flial pride as hundreds of voices shout
ed the name of the martyred President.
Charles w. Clark, the Linden quartet and
the chorus, came next, and tnen Charles A.
Dew's magnificent bass voice was heard IN
the rollicking when Johnny Comes March
ing Home At the end of the second verse
the chorus of dress suited young men that
filled the stage fell back to the wings and
the boys from Fort Sheridan came troOping
through the forest, headed by, their drum
corps, to be greeted by the cheers OF the
crowd.
But The best was yet to come. AS the
soldiers passed from view the chorus closed
in again, and then, through the, clustered
singers an old man picked his way 70 me
footlights. The young men drew aside, al
| most reverentially, to let him by, and IN a
twinkling the company recog-
nized the pleasant features of DR.. George
F. Root. The hand Gaping started like a
pattering rain on the roof, and sWeiied IN
volume until it seemed as If 1t would never
| cease. When as last it died away the
Doctors son. Fred, announced that his FAITH
er would sing his greatest song; Inc BAT.
tie Cry of Freedom" and said he wished
the audience to join in the chorus. In a
voice of wonderful resonance and clearness
for one seventy-f1ve years oid, the siiVery-
haired veteran began:
Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys,
Well rally once again,
Shouting the bate cry of freedom.
We will rally from the hillside,
Well gather from the plain.
Shouting the battle cry or freedom.
And full five thousand voices nswered
The union for ever,
Hurrah. boys, husrah.
Down with the traitor,
| Up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys, rally
once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.
Men sprang to their feet and hurrahed as
they used to do at the news from the front,
thirty odd years ago; women alternately
waved their handkerchiefs and wiped their
eyes. Away up in the balcony a stalWart
mihtiaman Numbered out above the din.
Three cheers for George f. Root and
the tiger" must have sounded like an ex-
plosion TO the people out on Congress street,
who could't find their way into the hall.
| Again and again DR.. Root bowed his thanks,
and then he picked his way back to his box
| and told how he wrote the song In Chicago
thirty-four years ago, words and music. in
his little music store opposite. the court
house. How the ink was scarcely dry when
49, r ,,t arJ hrafharG--fha Craat singers of
the war-came in for something to sing at a
war song meeting that was to be held i'm
mediately in the courthouse square.
They went through the new song once
and FASTENED to the steps of the courthouse,
followed by a crowd that had gathered
while the practice was going on. Then julie
Lumbard's wonderful voice gave out the
song and Frank Lumbard'S trumpet tones
led the refrain, and at the fourth verse l,OOJ
voices were Joining in the chorus.
From there the song went into the army"
said DIR. Root, and the testimony in regard
to its use liz camp and on the march, and
even on the fie.u of battle, from soldiers
and officers up to generals, and even from
the President himself, made me thankful
that if l could not shoulder a musket in de-
tense of my country / could serve in this
way"
Draped in white, with the old flag In her
hand, Mrs. Genevra Jnhnstone bishop SANG
1.-The Star-spangied Banner as it is seldom
sung nowadays. Her melodious soprano
voice swelled out and filled the big house
Will the gallant music, and again the COM
pany waxed noisy in its patriotic enthusi-
asm. John II. Hubbard sang "Old Shady
as only he can sing it. Charles w. Clark,
1 the Weper quartet and chorus sang CO.
lumbia, the Gem OF the Ocean," and then
DR.. Root repeated his earlier triumph with
Tramp, Tramp. Tramp" The programme
closed with America" the entire audience
rising and joining in the chorus.
2