The Washington herald., 1910-05-08

having broken the Confederate une
by an assault. became exposed TO a
flank attack. and with heavy loss
were driven back in disorder.
They retreated but few hundred
yards. however. when they reformed
and again confronted the enemy.
Just then a sOldier-an unknown
hero-in the Forty-hfth PennsyI-
vania, with a heart full OF courage
and song, began TO sing
Wen rally round the flag. boys.
Rally once again.
Shouting the battle cry Of freedom"
The refrain was caught up by the
entire regiment. and also by the
regiment next in line The air was
filed with the crackle and smoke OF
the burning underbrush the pitiful
cries Of the wounded. the rattle OF
musketry. and the wild shouts OF
command gave intense excitement
10 the scene. but above all. an
swering the exalted yell o. the
enemy. rose supreme the inspiring
chorus:
The Union forever, Hurrah. boys,
hurrahw
Among many incidents connected
with DR.. Roots war songs. the one
which touched him most deeply Il
related in his delightful story Of
a Musical Life"
An Iowa regiment went In one
or the charges during the siege OF
Vicksbr:E 500 strong. and came out
with A terrible loss Of more than
half their number. But the rem
nant % the regiment left the bat
tie field. waving their torn and pow
der-stained flag. singing:
90 Yes. Wen rally round the flag,
boys
On the afternoon Of July 4. 1895.
a vast multitude Of 10000 assembled
at the Coliseum in Chicago. the oc-
casion being a war song festival for
the benefit OF the George F. Root
monument fund.
II was a great day for the Bat
tie Cry Of Freedom" ChicaEo's
greatest singers took the solos and
1000 choir singers sang in the
choruses Mr.. Jules Hubbard. the
white-haired veteran who was first
20 sing that famous war song.
thirty-fve years before. sang It at
the Coliseum, and every soul was
thrilled by its newborn power.
Luther Latin Mills. that superb
orator. delivered the grafton. and
among other things said:
The songs Of George F. Root
abide and will remain in the mem
cries and voices OF our people. not
only as reminders Of the nations
heroic struggle for seIf-preserva-
ton. but as a constant. inspiring.
and educating force in maintaining
and strengthening the lofty senti-
ment Of American patriotism"
George +. Root was born NJ Shelf
field. Mass, In 1920. He was the
son OF a farmer and the eldest 81
eight children. He had little early
opportunity 10 cultivate HIS musical
talent. but studied later under
George webb, Nn Boston. and in
1889 became assistant teacher in
the music school Of A. y. johnson.
an organist in that city. later his
partner. and also assistant organist
and director Of the Winter Street
and Park Street churches.
In 1874 Mr.. Root removed to New
York. where he taught singing IN
various institutions and played the
organ in prominent churches. About
this time he married Mary Oliver
Woodman, a church and concert
singer. In 1850 he went to Paris for
a years study. and upon his return
attempted composition. His earlier
works and some Of his later were
published upder the pseudonym
'Wurzel," the German word for
Root.
His first song. Hazel Dell" was
successful, and his cantata. The
Flower Queen" produced In New
- NNNAf was vi US udllN so.
About 1860 Mr.. Root removed to
and engaged In the publish
ing business. which realized quick
financial results from the publica-
non OF his popular songs. He sus-
tanned, however. heavy losses in
me great fire of 1871. and soon af-
-erward the partnership was dis
solved. He continued 70 live in Chi
,ago. where he composed, edited
various works. and conducted con-
'entions as before. In 1881 he re-
,eiVed the degree Of doctor OF music
rom the University of Chicago. and
n 1886 visited Europe a second
lime. He died at his home on
Bailey Island. near the Maine coast,
n 1895.
g Press" ComT N.Y.