Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-08-11
Ran away from "Dixie. 1"

was seated with friend on the lawn
in front of his home one evening when
a street pianist came along and began
his repertory, says Washington let
ter in the New York Herald. 1t was
fair intrument, and the old soldier
liked the music go much that he toss
ed the man piece ofsilver. The It.
allan picked up the money, arranged
the side clutch and then "Dixie" filed
the block.
General Hayes got up from his
chair without a word, walked into his
house. through the hallway and to the
back yard, where he remained until
the street pianist had gone down the
street and out of the section. Then
the General came out on the lawn
again and took the chair beside bis
friend without saying anything. The
friend, however, was curious.
General" he said, 81 never before
knew that you were one of those pre-
JUDGED people. What was your idea
in galloping away when that Italian
began to unwind Dixie ;? What's
the matter with Dixie? Why, I've
heard it tumultuously cheered in
theatres in Boston and New York"
That's all right, too, replied Gen.
eral Hayes, chewing on his cigar.
1.-The persons who cheered Dixie in
theatres in Boston and New York
never got such stampeding through
Dixie as l did. Prejudice nothing
m not prejudiced against or sore on
anybody. But | made a bad break
once in connection with that Dixie
air, so that I've never been able to
listen to it since without getting up
and walking as far away from the
sound as | could get.
Il was an aid on the staff Of Gen
eral Fitzpatrick when he was tearing
up the railroads around Macon. The
Confederates were never very far away
from US while We were doing that work.
They hovered around our front, watch
ing proceedings They thought that
they were not numerically strong
enough to make it worth our while to
go after them. They just watched US
from their distance in front, making
no attempt to bother the men.
Zone day General Fitzpatrick sum-
moned me- l was in charge Of 8 part
of the track destroying-to ask me
how the job was proceeding. He
wanted quicker progress made.
"'Take one Of the mounted bands
down to the place where the men are
working, said General Fitzpatrick to
me. The boys always work faster
when there's music around.
81 got one of the mounted bands and
took it down to where our gang was
pulling up the ties and rails. The
leader asked me what kind of music
l wanted. told him to go ahead
with some of the patriotic airs. He
swung off with Hail Columbia, The
Star Spangled Banner My Country,
etc. The men worked like Trojans
under the inspiration Of the music. l
could see the Confederates msssed
among the trees, but they hadn't fred
a shot. They were evidently obeying
orders not to. appreciated the i'm
munity from the FIRE of the sharp
shooters which they gave US, and in
sort of vado-you've got to remem-
Der that l was a lot younger then
am now-I turned to the band lead
er and said to him
"'Those "rebs" are treating US
pretty white. Suppose you just re-
ward the poor devils by giving them
Dixie"
"Well, the leader gave the word
and the band began to pump Dixie. ="
At this point General Hayes brought
his teeth down hard on his cigar and
remained silent for minute.
We'll ?" inquired his friend.
"Oh, nothing" resumed the old
soldier, except that that band hadn't
played more than six bars OF Dixie
before the ground under our feet
shook with the blastedest rebel yells
any of US had ever heard, and in q
minute and half those Confederates
were on top of US and whipping h
out of US.