St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-06-05
1.-The Homespun Dress"

Story of n Famous Confederate Song.
The song for which John Uri Lloyd, the
author, offered 500 is printed herewith,
probably for the first time. 1t was com
posed during the civil war and was cir
Culated by word OF mouth among the
soldiers of the Contederacy until it be.
came almost battle song. Prof Lloyd
it was understood, wished to use it in
one of his books. DR.. Lloyd was stand
ing among Others in front of country
grocery in Florence Ky. (Stringtown),
body of Morgan's cavalry come up the
pike, and as these daring cavaliers rode
by he heard them gayly singing a song
called "The Homespun Dress" But his
memory afterward could recall but the
first stanza. Exhaustive research among
literature all over the country failed to
discover it, and as last recourse he
offered a reward. The song has never
been in print, but the words are found in
full in a manuscript entitled Kentucky
Cavaliers in Dixie by George Dallas
Musgrove of Carrollton, KY. The morn
ing on which Prof. Lloyd heard the song
was when Morgan and his men were in
advance Of Bragg's army, which was en-
tering Kentucky from Tennessee to strike
Buell., who was racing for Louisville. At
the same time a part of Kirby Smiths
army was coming through Cumberland
Gap to strike the Federals under Gen.
"Bull' Nelson at Richmond. After the
battle of Richmond these forces joined
Morgan's cavalry at Lexington, whence
they advanced a division to Covington
to threaten Cincinnati. 1t was this
division that Dr. Lloyd saw pass Stirring
town" In few days Bragg also reach
ed Lexington, thence moved to Frank
fort and took possession of the city,
where, in the presence of 10000 Coined
crates, Richard Halves was installed
governor. But the governor had hardly
taken the oath before the advance guard
of Buell's rehabilitated army swept in
view up the Kentucky river to the bridge,
and Bragg and the governor" retired to
Lexington. 1t was said that Halves was
governor Just one hour by the town
clock. Shortly afterward took place the
bloody battle OF Perryville on Oct. 8.
While Morgans forces were at Lexington
an impromptu ball was given in honor OF
the men, the ladies appearing in dresses
of homespun. A young ieutenant-an
Albanian named Harrington, found in
spiration in the fact to write the words,
and Miss Earle, an accomplished musician
present, improvised the air and sang it
with piano accompaniment. The song
spread rapidly, and was taken up by the
whole army and sung on the march and
IN camp throughout the south. Young
Harrington fell at Perryvile. Following
are the words:
THE HoMESPUN DRESS.
A Dixie Girls Song.
Oh yes, l am a Southern girl,
And glory in the name;
boast Oft with greater pride
Than glittering wealth or fame;
envy not the Northern girl
Her robes of beauty rare,
Though diamonds deck her snowy neck
And pearls bestud her hair
Chorus-Hurrah. hurrah!
For the sunny South, so dear;
Three cheers for the homespun dress
The Southern ladies wear
Now, Northern goods are out of date;
And, since Old Abe's blockade
We Southern girls can be content
With goods that's Southern made.
We send our sweethearts to the war,
But girls, meier you mind -
Your soldier-love will not forget
The girl he left behind.
The Southern lands glorious land,
And has glorious cause;
Then cheer, three cheers Tor southern rights
And for the Southern boys!
We scorn to wear bit of silk,
bit of Northern lace,
But make our homespun dresses up,
And wear them with grace.
And, now, young man, a word to you,
If you would win the fair,
Go to the field where honor calls
And win your lady there;
Remember that our brightest smiles
Are for the true and brave,
And that our tears are all for those
Who fill the soldiers grave.
1.-THE Cincinnati Enquirer.