The Washington herald., 1910-05-08

The Battle Cry or Freedom" is
one OF the many songs contributed
10 the Union army Of the civil war
by George F. Root. one OF the most
productive composers OF that period
The music. more than the words.
tended to It's popularity. It's chorus
was especially inspiring. and while
the song is rarely heard to-day,
bands continue to play the music.
for IL is inspiring march music, par
ticularly the chorus.
When President Lincoln issued
HIS second call for troops, In the
summer OF 1851. Mr.. Root received
the inspiration FOR this song. While
number Of "rallying" cries had al
ready been interjccted into the tur-
bulent condition OF the North, Root
felt that not one exactly met the
requirements He was living IN chi
cago at the time and was deeply
impressed with the mighty signih-
canoe Of the proclamation.
Mr.. Root was a member OF the
ic-publishing house OF Root &
Cady az the time. The day follow
ing the issuing OF the proclamation.
late in the afternoon. he returned 10
his home He seated himself in the
parlor with the paper in his hand
and was bordering over the condi-
lions OF the country. He read and
re-reod the Presidents call for
"a
began evolving in HIS mind the
sentiment Of a rallying CRY. In an
outburst OF fervor he received his
inspiration.
lie took up some paper and began
the composition OF the words. II
was not long until he had written
the FIRST verse. for Mr.. Root was
particularly gifted as a writer OF
lyrics OF this character. Then fol-
lowed the chorus. After he had fin
ished the chorus. he was particu-
larry impressed with its adaptable
fly 20 inspiring music. He read Il
over two or three times. and then
went TO the piano and composed the
music. After playing Il over sew
eral times he went to work on the
composition OF the remaining verses.
The following evening the famous
Hubbard brothers-Jules and Frank
the great singers Of the war. were
10 sing at a meeting 70 be held in
the Chicago courthouse square. Mr..
Root went 20 see them early on the
morning OF the day following his
writing Of the song. and presented
them with two manuscript copies
Together the three went to his pub
fishing house and he made them IA
miliar with the music 10 his piano
accompaniment.
After the first speaker had I'm
ished az the evening meeting. the
Hubbard brothers prepared 10 sing
their first song. II was Roots Bat
tie Cry Of Freedom" They held
written copies OF the words in their
hands. and when they came 20 the
chorus-"The Union forever, Hur-
rah, boys. hurrah," the effect was
electrifying. The audience cheered
wildly at its conclusion. and when
the chorus 10 the second verse was
started a number OF people in the
audience joined in. and by the time
the last chorus was reached almost
the entire multitude joined In its
singing. The song had struck fire
and leaped into widespread popu-
larity at once.
Only a few days after Its writing
a monster war meeting was held In
Union Square. New York. Excite
ment was running high and the
emotion was intense. In the interim
the Hutchinson family. among the
most famous OF the war singers. had
secured a copy OF the song through
Mr.. Root. and they introduced II at
this meeting. The immense throng
OF listeners were aroused 10 the
highest pitch of exaltation at its
singing. It was repeated again and
again. and the great audience
caught the refrain. as did the audi
'ence In Chicago. and it proved a
resistless force In swelling the
ranks Of the army.
No other war song was sung with
holder patriotism or with moro tri-
umphant passion OF the soul. II
seemed to mount up as II on wings
Of magic and was carried all over
the North. and into all camps where
the Northern army assembled. II
was often ordered to be sung as the
men marched into action. and more
than once its strains rose on the
battle field TO stimulate courage.
There is an interesting story re-
lated OF how this song saved a bat
tie.
During the terrible battle OF the
Wilderness on the 9Th Of May, 1864,
q brigade OF the Ninth Army Corps.
Copyright. 1910. IT