The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-01
'sBATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM"
How the Song Inspired the Dfscour'
aged Union Soldiers.
Boston Commonwealth.

vacancy in the ranks of the Loyal Legion.
He was one OF the board OF officers OF the
eo1mmandery Of this STATE Of abb
unsehshness OF a little child, but ready for
duty wherever duty called. Colonel Stone
had made friends everywhere.
some fun memoirs of his military expert
ence and Of other experience In which he
was closely knit in with the history OF the
be so edited that they may be generally
read and appreciated An interesting mar
ration by him. prepared for private occa-
sion but few weeks ago. calls to light an
important incident OF the war which has
not been in print before. He said:
The battle OF Stones River, fought near
Murfreesborough. Tenn. In the closing days
of 1862 and the opening days of 1863 was one
OF the most bloody, fierce and obstinate of
all the many conflicts during the war OF the
rained and showed alternately. and. froze
continually. Every hDur, after the hostile
forces met, was filled with anxiety. dread
December. 1862. found the Union army driven
from nearly every position II had taken dur
ing the day The New Year dawne esa upon lTsr
Again and again the contest was re-
newed. with varying results. until. on the
h federafe army srn des1arng of making any
further impression on the ranks OF Its OPP
ponents. quietly abandoned its ground and
retreated beyond the reach of immediate
diminished in nun,ters-but still strong and
confident In spirit-maSters or the hard
fought field and justly rejoicing In the fact
of victory. but victory so dearly bought
as TO leave the impress of sad and inerad-
icabe memories on all our hearts.
"Coincident with this victory came also
coin, President of the United States. issued
on the LIST day of January, 1863, ordering
and declaring that all persons held as
be. free: and that the military and naval
authorities of the United States will recog
nize and maintain the freedom of such per-
sons
1.-The calm and judicial tone of this SUBJ
lime proclamation can at this day, family
convey an idea OF the profound impression
1t made upon all the people. and especially
solemn duty 1t became to recognize and
maintain it. Among those soldiers were
who had just passed through the awful
scenes of battle. OF their devotion to the
Union there. could be no question. But
how would they receive the proclamation
which was to work such a revolution in
the entire social life of the South? AL
ready several officers had resigned from
the service, in anticipation Of the impend-
ing change.
TT remained, however: for a single regi-
ment to test the ISSUE In that regiment
was an officer OF some legal requirements
who succeeded in persuadng most Of his
fellow-officers tat, in consequence of the
proclamation, the character Of the contest
the implied contract under which they
had enlisted had been violated. They
ought, therefore, TO be allowed TO leave
service which placed them in a false posi-
ton. Accordingly. nearly every officer of
that regiment rendered his resignation.
"As soon as these letters reached head
quarters General ROsecranS directed his pro-
vost marshal to bring the offending officers
before him. There was no difficulty in trac-
ing the origin of the concerted action to IT.
source; indeed he openly acknowledged
and justified his conduct, and refused to re-
tract. though all the rest, as soon as they
realized the position in which they were
placed. withdrew the obnoxious communica-
lions
'It did not take long to decide what
should be done with the author of the in
tended mischief. Orders, were given to pa
rade the brigade to which he belonged The
culprit was then, under custody of a cor
poravs guard, marched into the middle of
disloyalty and disniissing him in disgrace
from the service a sergeant stepped for
away his shoulder straps, and then: to the
tune of 1.-The Rogues March, he was
drummed out of camp, and so disappeared
from history.
This summary proceeding though II
silenced any further open expression Of dis
satisfaction, left an unpleasant feeling. The
absolute tyranny of military rule does not
always convince ones reason. Something
was wanting to make the anxious soldiers
coen To- reeve fhe strain of strict
tial law, and to substitute willing action
for sullen obedience.
"Just at this time gee club from Chi
cago appeared. and brought the needed
remedy. 1t went through the camp. sing
ing with great spirit number of new and
stirring songs, to the intense delight OF the
men. Among them was the animated lyric
which to this day thrills the heart of every
soldier:
Eyes, We'll rally round the flag, boys,
Rally once again,
Shouting the battlecry of Freedom!
This song ran like wild-fre through the
camps. IT gave the needed vent to the
pent-up feelings, which might almost as
easily have been turned into chronic dis
content. But 1t was when the verse was
sung
Wen welcome to our members
The loyal, true and brave.
And although he may be poor
He shall never be a slave.
that the feeling became overwhelming.
At once the last two lines were adopted
containing the soldiers creed They were
on everybodys lips With instructive quick
lamation in which the President had rever-
emily invoked the considerate judgment of
mankind and the gracious favor OF AL
mighty God
THAT song did more than any other
simple agency to bring the hearts of the
support OF emancipation. No order. no
proclamation, no victory on the battlefield.
even could have done so much for the good
cause. The army at once became a unit
or the great question of freedom, of which
this lyric is well named the Battle Cry :"
Judicious Playwright.
New York Commercial-Advertiser.
The dramatic author, Bronson Howard. is