The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-15
PEOPLES FORUM
Tho Great Banjo Player Of General r. z. Lees
Army, Northern Virginia, 1875

SFWyp NoFkUeFn vWatUlas 'ov'-Ss
Editor of virginian:
sir.-with your permission, beg to say
through your columns. in reply to the FREQUENT
enquiries to me of the whereabouts of Comrade
Samuel Newman Gregory, the Banjo Player Of
the Army Of Northern Virginia, few words
about him. promising to boil and condense what
have to say as much as possible.
comrade Gregory. now In his seventy ninth
year, was member OF Company ~ rory ,n,n.n
Regiment, Infantry, Weisgers Brigade, Manones
Division. A. +. Hills Corps. A. N. Va. 1s6l-5. A
cripple from the effects OF wounds received dur
ing the war. he Is now, inmate of Lees camp.
Soldiers Home. Richmond. Virginia
Even now. Mr.. Editor. when he picks his be-
war songs that stirred his hearers In the wilder
ness. or In the trenches around Petersburg. Va,
the rebel yel' can be heard echoing through the
camp of the Soldiers Home.
He is always welcome visitor to virginias
Executive Mansion. as well as the leading homes
OF Richmond, and the adjacent counties. All are
always glad to welcome the merry "old Veter-
an" whose anecdotes never grow stale. and whose
joviai nature only meows under the frost of
time he plays and sings on his ancient old
banjo.
Gregory is famed in war annals of the South,
the banjoist of Gen'l. r. +. Lees army, who
drove from camp fires. and cheered anxious
soldiers the eve of battle. He may have been
self appointed TO the position of banjolst to Lees
army but he won fame that Is tnseparably con-
neeted with the annals of that great fighting
machine.
During the early years of the war; Sam
Sweeney well-known Gregory. He
belonged to the cavalry and followed the for
tunes Of "Jeb" Stuart the gay chevalier.
IF you want to have good time join the cav
airy" that favorite song OF Stuarts-Sweeney
sang and played on the banjo on the long cav
airy marches.
"old Joe Hooker Come out of the Wilderness,
carolled Gregory in the camps of Lees infantry
With their jolly songs. and banjo solos these
men performed valiant service in cheering the
spirits of harassed soldiers and Weary al
most beyond the endurance of human beings
Sweeney died of smallpox at Orange Court
house. Va before the conflict half over
while the of the South still light
hearted and Stuart still led his daring cavalry
into battle singing gaily "If you want to have
| good time join the cavalry"
| While Gregory spared TO fight. and play
and sing throughout the war In its closing Gays,
I when Lees lines worn TO fragile and de-
SPAR, cIutched all hearts, regory's banjo and
| voice merry in the trenches. about
Petersburg, Va. they had been. From
Va. Gregory marched with his gun. and his banjo.
/ Whenever the troops stacked arms his jolly camp
tunes and stirring martial airs eheered the hearts
| OF the weary soldiers. Often he was called 10
play at General Lees headquarters Strange as
1t SEEM he ended his military career almost
on the spot where he learned to pick the banjo
! strings. The fact was the popularity of HIM
| self, and his banjo, gave him liberties at mead
quarters that the other soldiers did not ENJOY.
| and he able to pick mp great deal of infor-
| nation. Being good terms with the teamsters
Of the commissary department too, he could
learn their orders, and in this way determine the
movements of the army in advance.
! God bless, and preserve Comrade Gregory; may
his brain be clear. and his hand steady for many.
many years come, may time continue 10 deal
gently with him, and may many years yet pass
before he hears the challenge of the sentinel on
the picket line of eternity.
/ T. J. ROGERS.
Soldiers Home, Richmond Va.
Veteran War, 1s615. Mahone's Division, A. 2.
Hills Corps. a. n, Va
July ., 1911