The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-01-30
ONE OF WARS FAMOUS SONGS
Federals and Confederates Sang
1t Around Their Camp Fires.
W~ashington Post.

IL around Ihe1r Camp Fires.
Washington Post.
While convalescing from q severe
wound, received at the battle of Kenne
saw Mountain, Georgia. on the 27th of
Jnne, 1864, | met at the officers hospital
at Louisville, Ky, Adjutant Nichols, of
the y Pennsylvania cavalry, who re.
IaCcu 10 me the pathetic story Of the ro-
mantle o V OF the Rev. Homer Webster,
the author of one Of the most beautiful
songs ever composed in America
Lorena" was composed and pub.
llshed during our late civil war, and was
sung around the camp fires Of both the
Blue and the Grey alike. music speaking
IN all languages and love ideals cherish.
ca by friends and foes in all lands and
Climcs.
We may forget the singer, but we can't
forget the song.
Webster, the composer. was a son of
the South, where hooking birds, orange
blossoms, wild r, SGs and snowy cotton
hclds I'LL up the measure Of the ilccling
year. He was finely educated; had a pc
cullarly sensitive mind destined by ma
lure as well as art to preach the gener-
GUS and God.givcn gospel of the meek
and lowly Nazarine.
tt'tSi SluluuUluRy LIS uIbI CluICn WhS
at %Pittsburg, amid an aristocratic sect Of
that working and educated community.
HIS congregation was made up largely
OF wealthy miners and manufacturers
who turned out millions Of tons of coal,
iron, glass and machinery.
The Rev. Homer Webster was young,
handsome, faithful and eloquent, Just
such a minister as the fathers respected,
the mothers adorcd and the girls went
wild over.
Between prayer meetings. weddings,
baptisms, funerals and preaching the
young minister was kept busy perform
ing his saccrdotal duties, placing his
soul lit thoughts on heaven, while his
impulsivc and loving heart could not es.
cape the invisible arrows of Cupid
WHO is ever quick and cunning
With his passion ammunition,
ls always going" gunning;'
And dcToid of all contrition
a wealthy glass manufacturer, belong
ing to the congregation, had an only
daughter, "Lorcna," who wa5 the pride
and JOY Of the family and u devoted
worker in the church. Sunday school,
with q class of poor boys and girls, ab
sorbcd her ardent attention on Sabbath
mornings, and the sick and dying in
squalid novels or humble cots found her
" ihS ehSSi, waning DClCNlC-
ton.
Such Il co worker was ut once a 10Y
and affinity to the young parson, aud
thrilled him with love at first sight His
secret devotion was rcCiproCatcd, if long.
ing eyes, blushing cheeks and ~fcrvcnt
~hand-clasps are indicative signs of affcc
ton
"Lorcna" had rich lovers by the
score, and there was never u dinner or
tea at the grand mansion on Allegheny
Heights that was not graccd by the
fashion and manhood Of the Smoky City.
Rich and rare were the gems she
wore. She did not seem to care for the
dashing hoods who sought her hand,
and while her proud father and fashion
able mother cndeavorcd to match her
with q young millionaire iron master,
their ~insinuating efforts did not meet
with much suCCe IS i'll the first dawnings
Of love. Modcsty and grace were the
landmarks Of "Lorcna;" ever cnchant-
ing companions to truth and virtue.
Tothc outward world, when the young
minister and herself met in home,
church or streets, she was always the
dcvotcc Of religion and the polished,
benevolent lady, but deep down in her
wor,an's heart she loved the poet priest
with as much devotion as ever ~IIcloisC
bestowed on the lofty Abclard.
Eternal promises passed between
them, and the lovers patiently waited
the hour when fashion, wealth and pa
rents consent would crown their hap
pincss.
Fate stepped in, and to satisfy her dy.
ing father and persistent, proud mother,
she drowned the love Of her soul and
tcarfully married the millionaire
She imagined that her duty to her pa.
rents was supreme, and thus broke the
tic of love and nature, making two
hearts miserable forever. In a few years
she pincd away and died of a broken
heart, another victim to a false sense OF
duty and fashionable pride.
The minister soon left the cold, chill
ing blasts Of the North. driftcd to Gcor-
gia, and whcn the guns at Fort Sumter
roarcd tho echoes Of the rebellion and
death knell Of slavery Webster enlisted
in support of the "Stars and Bars" and
tried to smother the dying cmbcrs Of his
hrst love amid the crash Of battle and
pomp and circumstance of glorious war.
The poet priest tried to 'forgct' his
sorrow, but that was impossible, as is
shown in the following beautiful song
evolved from the ripping rills and green
wales of remembrance. / have been try
ing to secure the song for the past year
and at last found it in a torn and batter
cd condition, published by John G.
Schrcincr, Macon, Ga May, 1864. The
reader, and particularly the old soldiers,
VIII be glad to sec again q heart ballad,
composed in the dark vale of disap
pointed love. 1t will strike q tender
chord in every loving soul.
JOHN A. JOYCE.