The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-26
Our War Songs.


nected with almost every war song that
has been written, though it may not be
known.
During the civil war the songs for the
union were legion. Almost every poet felt
called on to contribute something toward
the war songs OF the day. While many
of them did not ouIlive the first edition.
even If they appeared. there were also
many that will live as long as the re-
public.
The hrst war song written during the
rebellion was: THE First Gun Is Fired:
May God Protect the Right by George
f. Root of Chicago, 1t never became pop
ular. This was in 1861. But the next one
he wrote was an inspiration. He was one
afternoon lying down, after having read
President Lincoln's cali for troops. and the
words and music of The Battle Cry Of
Freedom" formed themselves in his mind.
| The next morning he composed that won
dertul rallying song. which is said to have
been the most popular OF the many writ
ten during the war. It was first pub
| lished by Root & Cady. William Lewis,
who was with them at the time. says
that Oliver Ditson gave an order for 5000
copies, and In a short time another order
for 10000 copies, followed, by a third for
2O,eOO. and finally an order for $4,000 copies
Thls was from one house. What the
number sold to all the music stores in the
country was it would be impossible to
tell, but the sales doubtless reached up
into the millions. and II is still being sold
by nearly every music house In the United
States. With a little change it can be
made to do good duty on the present oc-
casion. Mr.. Lewis states that the ink
was hardy dry when the Hubbard broth
ers, those famous singers OF war songs,
called at the Office for a war song to sing
that evening at rally. 1.-THE Battle Cry
of Freedom" was handed them. That
night. before the meeting was over, more
than a thousand voices were joining in the
refrain. There is some question as to
which was the more popular THE Battle
Cry o Freedom" or Tramp, Tramp,
Tramp, the Boys Are Marching" COM
posed by the same author. 1t is said that
the English afterward set music to the
words of the former TO suit the occasion,
and sang it during the Abyssinian war.
Another immensely popular song was.
When This Cruel War Is Over" by Hen
ry Tucker, followed closely by "Tenting
On the Old Camp Ground by Walter
kittridge. One of the most thrilling songs
OF the war was Marching Through
Georgia" by Henry c. Work, who also
wrote Kingdom Coming" Babylon Is
Fallen" Wake Nicodemus,' Ring the
Bell Waterman" "A Thousand Years."
etc.
Just after the surrender Of Lee number
Of union officers were singing glee and
college songs in their rooms in Richmond.
They very considerably refrained from
singing patriotic songs. because the house
opposite was occupied by paroled confed-
crate officers.
Soon the landlady brought in a note
from the confederates, asking permission
to come over and hear the singing. OF
course it was granted, and they were de-
lighted with the songs. Excuse me, gem
tlemen,' said the confederate officer in
charge, "but we would like to hear some
of your war songs" The union officers
then gave them with an JUNCTION, THE
Battle Cry Of Freedom" the Battle
Hymn of the Republic and on through
the list of the Star Spangled Banner"
the confederates keeping time, as if they
had always marched to the music of the
union. When the applause from the gray
uniformed veterans had subsided a con-
federate major said: Gentlemen. if we'd
had your songs we'd have whipped you
out Of your boots. Who wouldn't march
ing except bastard ''Marseiilaise," the
Bonnie Blue Flag" and Dixie" all jigs
and nothing more" Turning to the con.
federate general. he said: II shall nevcr
forget the first time l heard Rally Round
the Flag 1t was on a nasty night during
the seven days battle of the wilderness.
l was on picket when just before taps
some fellow on the other side struck up
that song; soon others Joined in the cho-
rus, till 1t seemed the whole yankee army
was singing. One of our men sang out
Good heavensl What are those fellows
made off Here we've licked them six days
running, and on the seventh they're sing
ing Rally Round the Flag / am not SUI |
perstftious. but tell you that song sound !
ed like the kneli of doom, and my heart |
went down into my boots
When the singing was over, the confed- |
crate general shook hands with his en- |
tertainers and said: "Wel, the time may
come when we can sing The Star Span |
gled Banner together
It has come. and the blue and the gray
ian march shoulder to shoulder to the mu-
sic of that famous song.
Comparatively few people know the ORR
gin of Dixie" many thinking that II was
written in the south as a southern war
song. This is mistake. 1t was COM
posed, words and music back IN the early
ifties. by Dan D. Emmett, the actor, as
| walk around for Bryants minstreIs
Emmett had travelled in the south with a
,ircus and had heard the performers speak
If the country south OF Mason and Dix
ms line as Dixie land" During the
autumn when tenting was getting a little
90 cold, he had often heard them wish
hey were in Dixie land. and that is the
way the song got its name.
THE Bonnie Blue Flag" was composed
~ an Irish comedian named Harry Nc
,arthy, and sung for the first time by his
lister, Miss Marian Mccarthy. In New
orleans theater- II is said that Ben But
er. when in command of the city, issued
n order hning every one SIS that sang
he song: that he had the publisher ar
ested and fined $500 and DESTROYED all the
beet music.
My Maryland was one OF the most
eautiful war poems OF the south. bu, ~
ould never be set 10 a catchy music. II
vas written by James r. Randall, a ns- :
i've OF Baltimore He was professor of
English literature in Poydras College
.ouisiana- in 1861, when he read Of the
march Of the Massachusetts troops
through his native city. After he retired !
nat night the subject preyed upon his !
mind, till be was compelled to get I'M
lie lit candle and wrote My Maryland - ,
Julia Warde Howes Battle Hymn OF /
be Republic" probably the most popu- I
IT song ever written By a woman. was Z
omposed under similar circumstances. Il ,
'as IN 1851, just after the battle OF Bull I
sun- She was in Washington and had ,
cen with some friends TO witness a review 6
z the aTuV That n Z
one 10 bed the words OF the song framed :
themselves in her mind and lest she should
orget them II she let sleep intervene she {
rnsa E.--..n E..- l.--..- !.