Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-11
ORIGIN OF HYMN
"HOLD THE FORT"

T IEUT. GEORGE CARR ROUND, o
II Union veteran who has made his
home since 1868 at Manassas, Va, tells
an interesting story of the cause which
led to the writing of the famous hymn
Hold the Fort" Round was a member
of the signal corps during the civil war.
and is now president of the association
of veterans of that branch of the service.
The hymn which has become known
all over the Christian world by the name
of Hold the Fort was written In 1870
by P. P. Bliss and is based on an in
cident which took place in Sherman's
army in 1864. during Its march to the
sea. 1t has been sung in all chimes OF
the earth and is perhaps the best known
of popular church songs
In September, 1864. Sherman captured
Atlanta and established OH the top OF
Kenesaw mountain a signal station In
charge of Lieut. Fish. This became the
most important point from which move
ments of the Union army were directed.
Fish noticed the campfires of Hoods
army when it was passing the mountain.
and wigwaeged the news to Sherman in
Atlanta October 5. 1864. Sherman left the
city at once and marched rapidly to
counteract this movement of the Confed-
crates. On reaching Winnings station
Sherman had a message flashed to Kene-
saw mountain, to be repeated to the OF
ficer at Allatoona pass, then wired 10
Gen. Corse at Rome Ga. This order was
that Corse must bring his troops to Ala
toona pass and hold that place at all
hazard.
The reason for this was that at this
post was large accumulation OF mil
tary stores, which were to be used by TIE
Union army in its march through Georgia.
Should the Confederates secure these
supplies it would mean disaster TO the
Federals.
On receiving the message-about =
in the norning-Gen. Corse at once
made preparations and by in the
afternoon had landed LOO men at Ala
toona pass. Firing began in half al hour.
BY the next morning Gen. French o.
Hoods army had surrounded the Lnion.
men and demanded their surrender TO
prevent the needless effusion of blood,
Gen. Corse responded that the needless
effusion of blood could begin wheneve
he wished to make himself responsible
for it. The fight commenced at once ana
lasted until 1 in the afternoon. BurfnT
its progress Corses signalmen selected IA.
point near a railroad cut which was
comparatively free from exposure and
sent message to Sherman. who was
now on top of Kenesaw mountain watch
ing with anxious eye the smoke of the
battle being fought below him.
This news from Corse to Sherman.
spelled out by the flags Of the signalmen.
said: "Corse is here"
Sherman replied with the famous re-
tort tagged from the top of kenesaw
mountain: Hold the fort. 1 am coming
The destinies Of the day gave the victory
TO Corse who, in resanase TO an inquiry
from Sherman in the fternoon, had his
signalmen say with IL r flags: only a
cheekbone and an ear &c, but can whip
all h yet"
This message was copied off and de-
iivered to Sherman by r. J. Walker, one
of the signalmen stationed on kenesaw
mountain Walker is alive and makes his
home at Osceola Mills, Tenn. L. II. Full
ton of Salem. Ohio, and e. F. Brett OF
Clyde Ohio. who were acting for Corse
at Allatoona pass. are members of the
signal party who have lived to tell the
tale today.
sent his 23d Army Corps to help at Ala
toona 1t was the message flashed out
over the heads of Hoods army by men
with flags which not Only gave cause
for the inspiration of the greatest OF
modern hymns, but it was the work OF
these same men which saved Shermans
supplies and enabled him to make his
great march to the sea.