Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-01

state of facts and not to conditions that may
| exist IL we should hereafter be engaged In
! war with Spain"
SINGERS WHO MADE SOLDIERS.
Frank and Jules Lumbnrd and Their
| Mission During the War.
The requ!ems sung yesterday over the
| graves of these who surrendered life in the
! fight for a nations preservation and those
that fought for the cause that was lost re-
| call the stirring songs that inspired pat
rotism in the hearts of men during the
| crimson times of the rebellion's fierce in
| cipiency, says the Chicago Sunday Times
| Herald. True, the sound of music har-
monious frcm many instruments. sent the
+, blood flowing faster and thrilled the souls
! of listeners, but it was the songs patriotic
| and courage inspiring, voiced by brave men,
| that made .stanch soldiers stancher, and
| drew into the ranks of those battling for a
country men who might otherwise have re-
| mained aggarde in war. Nor have these
| songs, sprngng from the necessity, ceased
| to find the endorsement of enthusiastic
| patriotism whenever they are heard.
| The greater portion of these stirring songs
| and equally stirring tunes though ii is not
| generally known, are Chicago productions,
| and it was in this city that they were first
| sung Since then the echoes have resounded
! around .he world
| Some are aware that several of these battle
songs were published in this city by the late
| George F. Root. But the men whose voices
| first introduced Rally Round the Flag
Boys" Tramp, Tramp Tramp, the Boys
| Are Marching" and other national favortes
| are comparatively unknown to the public.
These men who populariZed patriotic music
| by such an inspiring rendition Of songs that
| it made thousands of soldiers were the Lum-
| bard brothers, Jules and Frank, who lived in
| Chicago until few years ago, when the
| latter died Jules moving to Omaha, Neb.,
hn trg rppp ptattn q
vocalist. The surviving brother possesses an
impressive personality as well as a voice
whose rich compass is unimpaired. Jules
Lumbard, now 65 years of age, is a handsome
old man, erect in figure and of kindly counte-
nonce A generous growth of long white
hair recalls the prototype of the Silver King.
The voice which once made soldiers now
rnga the sacred music of peace victories in
an Omaha choir.
The Lumbard brothers came to Chicago in
the sos. Frank Lumbard was in charge of
the music in public schools. Jules was a
lawyer. Beth were born musicians. When
Ben Bolt" and "The Old Oaken Bucket
were published Jules was the first man in the
west to sing them.
When the civil war broke out DR.. Root
wrote IRA ly Round the Flag Boys" He
took 1t at once to the Lumbards for its in
PRODUCTION at a mass meeting to be held at
the old court house on Clark street that
evening. After one rehearsal the brothers
attended the meeting and were introduced
to the audience by the composer of the song.
At that time Dr. Root called it "The Battle
Cry of Freedom"
Then the inspiring strains of DR.. Roots
production were given to the world for the
first time. The Lumbard brothers were at
their best. Their hearts were in the song.
When the chorus was finished with its great
climax of rallying around the flag 10000
threats cheered in patriotic approval Men
shouted and sung themselves hoarse. The
sound of brass band, which endeavored to
play another tune later, was drowned in the
uproar which demanded repeated renditions
of the new national song. The popular voice
the song RAJ y Round the Flag"
and as such 1t became known.
The song quickly reached the army and
was soon heard at every federal campfire.
Then the Lumbards introduced Tramp,
Tramp, Tramp, the Boys Are Marching with
equal success Marching Through Geor-
gia," "The Red, White and Blue" and
Father Abraham followed in swift Sc
quence and found popular favor.
Jules abandoned his law practice IN 1863
to enlist in the army. He became an ad
jutant on General Farnsworth's staff in the
Eighth Illinois cavalry, but at this juncture
his wife, who a southern woman. ap-
pealed to him not to fight her friends and
brothers, who wore the confederate gray.
Love triumphed, but Jules patriotically in
clined decided to give his voice to his coun-
try to assist in recruiting soldiers by pa
triotic music. Accompanied by his faithful
DrOtner, ne nlaQe a tour OF tHe nOTtH sing
ing at mass meetings and inspiring hlen to
enlist. 1t is estimated that the Lumbards
won 10000 soldiers for President Lincoln
during the war by their continuous good
service of song.
Their most thrilling experience was in
the trenches at Vicksburg during the ia
nous siege. While singing Rally Round
the Flag" among the union forces their
voices were recognized by old Chicago
friends on the rebel side, who shouted
hearty salutation, accompanied by a cordial
invitation to visit the confederate lines. 1t
was at General McPhersons headquarters
that Jules heard an old darky servant sing
ing an unpublished melody, which the regro
called "Old Shady" 1t at once attracted
the attention of the war singer.
Jules Lumbard remembered the song and
gave 1t to B. R. Handy, who wrote Nellie |
Gray" Handy arranged it and sent it to |
the publisher. The song. which thus orig !
mated in General McPhersons tent on a |
southern battle field, soon became famous |
Another link in a chain of unbroken sue |
cesses of songs popuariZed by the Lumbards |
was the staple sentimental ballads, "The |
Old Arm Chair" and Nellie Gray"
Lincoln was great admirer of the Lum-
bards, and it was the heroic president who
them as the 'singers who
made sodiers--men with hearts in their
voices who served their country we'll