USA > New York > History of the Ninth Regiment N.Y.S.M. -- N.G.S.N.Y. (Eighty-third N. Y. Volunteers.) 1845-1888 > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
Lee and Longstreet soon came up in force. During the afternoon General Miles marched a brigade around our flank and got in my rear. While he was executing that movement I marched two brigades in the rear of Miles' men and attacked them savagely. We nearly annihilated the brigade, killing over 700 men in the action. In the meantime Anderson had communicated with Longstreet, and, while I knew noth- ing of what had taken place, it was evident, from the actions of Longstreet and Lee, that the former had broached the subject of surrender, and that the latter would not entertain the proposition.
That night, while I was preparing to cover the retreat of our army, about to o'clock I saw a ball of fire suspended over the headquarters of the Union forces, which meant a flag of truce. 1 obtained permission to receive the flag, and sent a detachment with:
1 864
ACCOUNT CONTINUED.
381
my provost marshal to meet the truce party. When the provost returned I was resting myself in a negro cabin near the church.
" I have a letter for General Lee," he said.
" Yes, and I know what that means," was my answer. " It is a demand for the surrender of the Confederate army."
I subsequently learned from General Grant himself that this letter, demanding the surrender, was written on the hotel porch in Farmville.
An odd incident happened at this time, continued General Mahone, and when you hear it you may think I am very superstitious. On my march I always carried at the head of my division an army wagon containing my personal supplies. This wagon had been captured by the Union soldiers. Iknew this, because some of my men re- ported that they had found letters belonging to me on the bodies of some of Miles' troops killed that afternoon. After handing me the letter to General Lee the provost marshal said : "I have also something for you from General Miles."
"Stop !" I exclaimed. " I know what you have for me. I have a presentiment that General Miles sent me my wife's daguerreotype, which was in my trunk, captured by the Federal forces." The provost took from his pocket the daguerreotype and handed it to me, with a letter from General Miles, stating the circumstances under which it had been found. I sent my compliments to him for his civility, and about HI o'clock our army was in full retreat.
We marched all night and the next day until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when we went into camp, three miles south of Appomattox Court House. Longstreet and Gordon were in front, and my division and General Fields' division were drawn in line of battle to cover the rear. At daylight we moved to Appomattox and then halted. I received a message from Lee to cometo the front. I found him just this side of the Court House, with Longstreet and his staff, warming themselves by a fire. Lee asked his staff to retire, and then he said that he had sent for me because he was in trouble.
" Well, what is the matter now ?" I asked.
" I suppose you know that Grant has demanded our surrender," he replied.
" No, I do not know it, but I suspected it." was my answer.
" Well, he has demanded our surrender, and I want to know what you think about it. We have only 8,ooo muskets and two organized bodies-yours and Fields'.'
" I take your purpose, General Lee, to be to effect a junction with Johnston in West North Carolina ?"
" Yes, sir," said the general.
" In my judgment." said I, " this junction can only be formed in one of two ways - first to cut through the enemy's lines and fight our way out, and that can only be done at a great cost of life. If successful we will only have a mere remnant of the army left, and that remnant cannot be recruited and equipped by a government in a wagon. I cannot see how you could supply an army with munitions and rations. We have another chance to get to Lynchburg, but we will certainly be harassed every step of the way, and when we get there we will be still further away from Johnston." I told him that the time had come when I thought he was called upon to perform the high- est duty that could devolve upon an individual, to undergo a test of the highest degree of manhood : that the time had come when, in my judgment, it was his duty to sur- render the army ; that I believed it would be a crime under the circumstances to sacri- fice the life of another man. I told him that if the terms offered by General Grant were such as we were entitled to receive I should surrender immediately. If not. 1
382
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
June ·
would fight it out here. He then handed me General Grant's letter containing the proposed terms of surrender. I read it and told him that I thought the terms were as honorable as could be asked by a defeated army. Lee turned questioningly to Long- street, who simply said : " I agree with Mahone."
" What will the country say?" asked Lee.
" You are the country now," I answered. "Our people will approve." He said he did not know where to find Grant. I told him to get on his horse and hunt him up. He left Lonsgtreet in command of the army, and rode away in search of the Federal commander, accompanied only by a courier. I went back to my division, which Fields had put'in line of battle, and told him what had occurred at the front.
To avoid another engagement we sent out a flag of truce. When the men formed in line they began digging trenches and otherwise arranging for what they supposed to be an impending battle. They were ordered to stop work. It was the first order of the kind they had ever received under such circumstances. The soldiers seemed to understand what it meant without knowing anything of the events of the past twenty-four hours. As by instinct they realized that the war has come to an end. Some of the men began to cry, other threw their arms in joy around the necks of their comrades. Many of them broke their sword blades and threw away their bayonets. I hastened out of sight of this affecting scene and rejoined General Lee at a little stream near Appomattox Court House. Colonels Taylor and Stevens and several other officers were with him. I had scarcely reached the General's side when I saw a Union officer riding down the road from the Court House, accompanied by a courier. He approached within 100 feet of General Lee, at the same time saluting him, removing his hat, and took a note from his pocket, which Colonel Taylor received and carried to General Lee He read the note and answered it, and the Union officer rode back to the Federal headquarters. General Lee stood in the dirt road. He took the note, tore it up in little pieces, and threw them upon the ground, and with his heel stamped them under the dirt and out of sight. I mounted my horse and rode away, and General Lee went to meet General Grant. That is all I saw of the surrender.
General Andrew A. Humphreys, in The Virginia Cam- paign of 1864 and 1865, pages 399, 400, says :
" At about four o'clock the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia was announced to the Army of the Potomac. * * *
" According to the records of the War Department, the number of officers and enlisted men of the Army of Northern Virginia paroled on the 9th of April, 1865, was :
1864
NUMBER OF CONFEDERATES AT THE SURRENDER.
383
1
OFFICERS.
ENLISTED MEN.
AGGRE- GATE.
General Lee and Staff.
15 1,521
13,312
15 14,833
Longstreet's Corps
Gordon's Corps.
695
6,505
7,200
Ewell's Corps . ...
19
268
287
Total Infantry
2,250
20,085
22,335
Cavalry Corps.
132
1,654
1,786
Artillery Corps
192
2,394
2,586
Total Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery
2,574
24,133
26,707
Detachments
288
1,361
1,649
Grand Total
2,862
25,494
28,356
" It has been stated that of the troops surrendered, only 8,000 had arms.
" If, indeed, that is correct, then the greater part of those men who had no arms must have thrown them away when they found that they had to surrender.
"Our casualties in these closing operations from the 29th of March to the 9th of April were 8, 268 officers and enlisted men killed and wounded, and 1,676 missing, making a total loss of 9,944.
It will be of interest to many of the survivors, and to the relatives and friends of the deceased, to know that the remains of the members of the NINTH-the record of which follows --- do not occupy unknown graves. The list was furnished by Colonel R. N, Batchelder, Deputy Quartermaster-General, U. S. A., in charge of the National Cemeteries. A few additions and a change in the numbers of graves, has been made by a member of the regiment, who lately visited some of the cemeteries. :
£
384
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
June
IN MEMORIAM.
MEMBERS OF THE NINTH KILLED, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DISEASE, AND BURIED IN THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
Alexandria, Va.
Israel Amond, Co. A. Arthur Clark, Co. B.
Charles Downer, " C. Amable Farley, " 1.
William B. Grant, " G. Isaac Heath, " D.
Louis Herpeck, G. Frederick Kroll,
A.
Amos Myatt,
H. Frank Plankey, "
I.
Charles Rubio, F. Chas. F. Tarbox, E.
*Hiram C. Thayer,
A. John Williams,
E.
Amasa Whittemore, Co. B.
Andersonville, Ga.
Remson W. Babcock, Co. L. * M. Babst, *L. Black,
Co. D.
" A. "J. Debras, " A.
Paul Dedrich, " G. John Dougherty, " E
*J. K. Grant, " D. "R. Jaquays,
Thomas Keating, L. * A. Lader,
E.
Fredk. A. Lewis, G. Wilson McCotter,
B.
"O. McLaughlin,
F. Walter G. Preston. G.
- Randolph, ." E. Alexander Richards, C.
*F. Romer, " A.
Charles Saunders, " A.
Matthew H. Sheppard, " F. William Smades, " D.
Amasa Smith, " D.
*Charles Smith,
G.
Archibald Thompson, B. Edward Waterhouse, I.
Jefferson Wells, " H. Henry Williams, B.
Antietam, Md.
Chas J. Cross, Co. L. Thos. R. Grogan, Co. G.
Peter B. Kinney, " I. Matthew Murphy, " HI.
John A. Willers, Co. L.
1864
IN MEMORIAM.
385
Arlington, Va.
William Brayton,
Ferdinand Herzog, Thomas Kerr,
*G. Nuchman,
Co. L. William Griffin, Co. B.
" E. John Hess, " I.
« L. Charles Miller, " E. " L. James Sherman, " G.
Amzi Sisson, Co. D.
Culpeper, l'a.
Co. D. Livingston Felton, Co. E.
" E. Constant Milden, " A.
" D. Julius Perro, " E.
Florence, S. C.
· Absalom Fitzgerald, Co. I.
Danville, Va.
*J. Canfield,
Co. A. * J. Loudon.
Co. C.
*H. Peck, Co. D.
Fredericksburg, l'a. Col. Joseph A. Moesch.
Wm. E. Allen, Co. L. John Cross, Co. A.
Jeremiah Crowley, " F. Benj. F. Douglass, " 1.
*Artimus D. Flowers, 0 ." I. George Shaffer, " C.
Gettysburg, Pa.
Lieut. Charles A. Clark Co. B.
Patrick Burns, Co. H. Henry J. Curry, Co. L.
Loudon Park, Baltimore, Md.
John W. Byrd, Co. I. James Chambers, Co. I.
Patrick Kennedy, " I. Rufus C. Wagner, " E.
Glemvood, Philadelphia, Pa.
John B. Foster, Co. G.
Joseph Cram, Louis Kline,
Joseph T. Newling,
.
386
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
June
Richmond, V'a.
George Blair, *J. S. Taylor,
Co. D. Thomas S. Lunt, Co. G. " D). Nathan Thrüss, " E.
John Vail, Co. D.
Salisbury, N. C.
Christopher Brennan, Co A.
Soldiers' Home, Washington, D. C.
Silas J. Beckwith, Co. A. Anson Bennett, Co. A.
Thos. W. Brown, " L. John Q. Gordon, " L.
Joseph Hockaday, " F. Worthington Hodgkin-
Joseph Jabbitt, " H. son, " A.
Patrick Kelly,
B. John Malone, « E.
Benjamin Rush, « F. Wyman Witherell, « F.
Yorktown, V'a.
*James Cavedish, Co. D.
* Names marked with an asterisk are not found upon the muster-out rolls, but are upon the records of the cemeteries as having been of the NINTH -- 83d N. Y. Vols.
KILLED IN BATTLE "AS FAR AS KNOWN" AFTER TRANSFER TO THE 97TH N. Y. VOLS.
Priv. George Maxwell, Co. F. Priv. John T. Lockington, Co. L.
1 THE KILLED, DIED OF WOUNDS OR DISEASE, OTHER THAN THOSE BURIED IN THE NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
Field and Staff.
Lt .- Colonel William H. Hallick ; Quartermaster Henry L. Stevens.
Company A.
Capt. Thomas W. Quirk. Capt. John M. K. Connolly. Sergt. Fredrick Kirchet. Sergt. James M. Williams.
1864
IN MEMORIAM.
387
Corp. Edward McGrath.
¥ William C. Robinson.
Priv. James Clark.
Priv. Ernest Geidecke.
J. Goldsmith Hanson.
Alfred F. Jones. Alexander Mercer.
Joseph R. Mitchell.
James H. Rabell.
Edward Wheelock.
Company B.
Sergt. Charles H. Barker.
Corp. Edward Briener.
Henry Rheinlander.
Frederick W. Switter.
Priv. Alexander Asal.
Priv. Henry Bohrman.
Frederick Bunk.
Silas Crowinshield.
J. Frederick Fassbind.
Nicholas Loewenberg.
66 Wm. H. McNaughton. Wiliam. H. McNider.
Willianr Palmer. George Smith.
Henry Rodgers. Dominick Zimmerman.
Priv. James Wisdom.
Company C.
Sergt. Edward R. Jennings. Corp. Peter Eagan.
Priv. John Bierau.
Priv. George L. Fream.
Robert Graham.
August D. C. Guild.
16 Levi Havens. Amos Hodges.
Benjamin Miller.
John Miller.
Daniel Osborne. William H. Parker.
Luther Peck. Clarence F. Tyson.
Priv. William H. Robbins.
Company D.
Lieut. Henry Osgood. Lieut. Charles M. Reynolds.
Sergt. Frank G. Aims.
Corp. Winfield S. Wyckoff.
Priv. James Askwith. John Butler.
James B. Barton.
Priv. William F. Butler.
George H. Crossman. John English.
" Robert D. Garrison. William Hood.
, Joseph H. Sweezy.
Corp. Elias A. Stone.
Corp. Eugene Braillard.
William Kreimler.
388
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
June
Priv. Fletcher J. Ingalls.
Orville Lequay.
John S. Phelps.
Leonard Rodgers.
Alexander View.
" John D. Wickham.
Company E.
Lieut. Thomas Layton. Sergt. William Henderson.
Corp. Alonzo A. Craw.
Thomas Moore.
Priv. August O. Beauche.
Priv. John H. Caldwell.
Thomas Cozzins.
Herman Ellison.
Augustus Faton
Matthew F. Freeman.
David F. Gillett.
Isaac Howell.
Albert Lewis.
David A. Morgan.
William T. Parkinson.
J. Yeomans.
Company F.
Sergt. Archibald Penny. Corp. John Benner.
Corp. William H. Cosman.
Priv. Joseph H. Blakeney.
Priv. Philip Gabele. Peter Peters.
James H. Hinchman. Ralph Jones.
Priv. Charles Low.
Company G.
Corp. Charles W. Beecher. Corp. George P. Reuss.
George W. Topping. Priv. John E. Banks.
Priv. David Barbour.
" William Foy.
" John F. Hoyt.
" Charles W. B. Hurd.
" Thomas Kiley.
" Conrad Krowle.
" Edward A. Le Barnes. " John Rivers.
Benjamin J. Sheffield.
" Joseph Tichener ..
Company H.
Lieut. Felix Hirt.
Priv. William Aston.
Alexander Beus.
" Jeremiah Bresnan.
' John Caffry. .
Willard Burr.
Priv. Francis Lambert.
- Thomas W. Mykins.
" Thomas C. Pollock.
" Wm. H. Van Beuren.
1 864
IN MEMORIAM.
389
Priv. Alexander De Con.
Priv. Ferdinand Fohrman.
" James Heenan, William Jones.
" John Martin.
" William Miller.
Thomas Triggs.
" James Walsh.
Priv. Charles M. Wood.
Company I.
Sergt. John Knipe. Priv. Daniel Curtin.
Corp. George Bodenmiller.
Priv. Samuel B. Jones.
John P. Jordon. " Alexander Little.
Joseph McAvoy.
Michael Martin.
Joacham Maurice. 66 Henry Montgomery.
.. John Oberfelt. € Raphael Poissant.
Robert L. Riker.
Lucien N. Tower.
Peter Treddo. 16 Francis Westervelt.
Company K-Sixth N. Y. Battery.
Sergt. William H. Turner. Priv. John Biggs.
Priv. George W. Bennett.
John R. Bunn.
" John L. Gannon.
" Jacob H. Hatley.
" Luther Hilverty.
Edward Martin.
" Richard H. Paxton.
James A. Perkins.
" Herman Sanders. " Robert Seaman.
Priv. Ira D. Shay.
Company, L.
Sergt. John H. Scott. Sergt. Henry J. Curry.
Corp. George Bunte.
Priv. William S. Bailey.
Priv. John T. Bell.
" John Clarke.
Charles Connor.
William A. Craig.
Jacob Lober.
James Martin.
Albert B. Meyer.
Benjamin J. Montey.
Jeremiah Osborne. Charles Skinner.
Louis Van. Duzen. M. V. B. Wait. .
A total of two hundred and eighty-two killed, died of wounds or disease.
Patrick Brennan.
Daniel E. Cripps.
390
THE NINTH NEW YORK_
June
ARMY SONGS.
THE BATTLE-CRY OF FREEDOM.
Yes, We'll rally round the Flag, boys, we'll rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom !
We will rally from the hill-side, we'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom !
Chorus-The Union forever, hurrah ! boys, hurrah ! Down with the traitors, up with the stars ! While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom !
We are springing to the call of our brothers gone before, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom !
And we'll fill the vacant ranks with a million freemen more, Shouting the battle-ery of freedom !
We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom ! And although he may be poor, he shall never be a slave, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom !
So we're springing to the call, from the East and from the West, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom ! And we'll burl the rebel crew from the land we love the best, Shouting the battle-cry of freedom !
.
JOHN BROWN.
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave, His soul goes marching on !
Chorus-Glory, Glory, Hallelujah ! Glory, Glory, Hallelujah ! Glory, Glory, Hallelujah ! His soul goes marching on.
£
1864
ARMY SONGS.
391
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of our Lord, He's gone to be a soldier in the army of our Lord, He's gone to be a soldier in the army of our Lord, His soul goes marching on !
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, His soul goes marching on !
We'll hang Jeff Davis to a ,sour apple tree, We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree, We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree, As we go marching on !
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union ! Now, three rousing cheers for the Union! Now, three rousing cheers for the Union ! As we go marching on !
JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER.
Just before the battle, mother, I am thinking most of you. While upon the field we're watching, With the enemy in view. Comrades brave are'round me lying, Fill'd with tho'ts of home and God,
For well they know that on the morrow Some will sleep beneath the sod.
Chorus-Farewell, mother, you may never Press me to your heart again ; But, oh, you'll not forget me, mother, If I'm numbered with the slain.
Oh, I long to see you, mother, And the loving ones at home; But I'll never leave our banner. Till in honor I can come. Tell the traitors, all around you, That their cruel words, we know,
In every battle kill our soldiers By the help they give the foe .-- Chorus.
--
1
392
June.
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
Hark! I hear the bugle sounding, 'Tis the signal for the fight ! Now may God protect me, mother, As he ever does the right. Hear the " Battle-Cry of Freedom," How it swells upon the air ! Oh, yes, we'll rally'round the standard, Or we'll perish nobly there .-- Chorus.
JUST AFTER THE BATTLE.
Still upon the field of battle I am lying, mother, dear, With my wounded comrades, waiting For the morning to appear. Many sleep to waken never In this world of strife and death,
And many more are faintly calling With their feeble dying breath.
Chorus .- Mother, dear, your boy is wounded, And the night is drear with pain But still I feel that I shall see you And the dear old home again.
Oh, the first great charge was fearful, And a thousand brave men fell ; Still amid the dreadful carnage I was safe from shot and shell. So amid the fatal shower I had nearly passed the day, When here the dreaded minie struck me, And I sank amid the fray .- Chorus.
Oh, the glorious cheer of triumph When the foemen turn'd and fled, Leaving us the field of battle, Strewn with dying and with dead. Oh, the torture and the anguish, That I could not follow on !
But here amid my fallen comrades I must wait till morning's dawn .- Chorus.
1864
ARMY SONGS.
393
TENTING ON THE OLD CAMP GROUND.
We're tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, Give us a song to cheer Our weary hearts, a song of home And friends we love so dear.
Chorus-Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, Wishing for the war to cease ; Many are the hearts looking for the right, To see the dawn of peace ; Tenting to-night, tenting to-night, Tenting on the old camp ground,
We've been tenting to-night on the old camp ground, Thinking of the days gone by; Of the loved ones at home, that gave us the hand, And the tear that said : Good-by !
We are tired of war on the old camp-ground ; Many are dead and gone, Of the brave and true, who've left their homes ; Others have been wounded long.
We've been fighting to-day on the old camp-ground, Many are lying near, Some are dead, and some are dying, Many are in tears !
Chorus-Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, Wishing for the war to cease ; Many are the hearts looking for the right, To see the dawn of peace ; Dying to-night, dying to-night, Dying on the old camp-ground.
THE ARMY BEAN. (Air-" Sweet Bye and Byc.")
There's a spot that the soldiers all love, The mess-tent's the place that we mean, And the dish that we like to see there, Is the old-fashioned white Army Bean. Chorus -- 'Tis the bean that we mean And we'll eat as we ne'er ate before ; The Army Bean, nice and clean - We'll stick to our beans evermore.
1
-
394
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
June
Now the bean in its primitive state, Is a plant we have all often met ; And when cooked in the old army style, It has charms we can never forget.
The German is found of saur-kraut, The potato is loved by the Mick,
But the soldiers have long since found out That through life to our beans we should stick.
REFRAIN. Air -- " Tell Aunt Rhody."
Beans for breakfast, Beans for dinner, Beans for supper, Beans, Beans, Beans.
WHEN THIS CRUEL WAR IS OVER.
Dearest love, do you remember When we last did meet, How you told me that you loved me, Kneeling at your feet ? Oh! how proud you stood before me, In your suit of blue,
When you vow'd to me and country Ever to be true.
Chorus .- Weeping sad and lonely, Hopes and fears, how vain. When this cruel war is over, Praying that we meet again !
When the summer breeze is sighing Mournfully along !
Or when the autumn leaves are falling, Sadly breathes the song. Oft in dreams I see thee lying On the battle plain, Lonely, wounded, even dying, Calling, but in vain .- Chorus.
If amid the din of battle, Nobly you should fall, Far away from those who love you, None to hear you call, Who would whisper words of comfort ? Who would soothe your pain ? Ah ! the many cruel fancies Ever in my brain .- Chorus.
.
1864
ARMY SONGS.
395
But our country called you, darling, Angels cheer your way ; While our nation's sons are fighting, We can only pray, Nobly strike for God and liberty ; Let all nations see How we love our starry banner, Emblem of the free .- Chorus.
WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME.
When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah, hurrah !
We'll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah, hurrah ! The men will cheer, the boys will shout, The ladies they will all turn out,
And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home.
The old church bell will peal with joy, Hurrah, hurrah ! To welcome home our darling boy. Hurrah, hurrah !
The village lads and lassies say With roses they will strew the way,
And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home.
Get ready for the Jubilee, Hurrah, hurrah ! We'll give the hero three times three, Hurrah, hurrah ! The laurel wreath is ready now, To place upon his loyal brow,
And we'll all feel gay, When Johnny comes marching home.
Let love and friendship on that day, Hurrah, hurrah ! Their choicest treasures then display, Hurrah, hurrah ! And let each one perform some part To fill with joy the warrior's heart, And we'll all feel gay. When Johnny comes marching home.
396
THE NINTH NEW YORK.
June
TRAMP! TRAMP! TRAMP!
In the prison-cell I sit, Thinking, mother, dear, of you, And our bright and happy home, so far away ; And the tears they fill my eyes, Spite of all that I can do, Tho' I try to cheer my comrades and be gay.
Chorus-Tramp, tramp, tramp ! the boys are marching, Cheer up ! comrades, they will come, And beneath the Starry Flag, We shall breathe the air again, Of the Free-land in our own beloved home.
In the battle-front we stood, When their fiercest charge they made,
And they swept us off, a hundred men or more ; But, before we reached their lines, They were beaten back dismayed, And we heard the cry of vict'ry, o'er and o'er.
So, within the prison-cell. We are waiting for the day That shall come to open wide the iron door ; And the hollow eye grows bright, And the poor heart almost gay, As we think of seeing home and friends once more.
MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA.
Bring me the good old bugle, boys ! we'll sing another song -- Sing it with that spirit that will start the world along- Sing it as we used to sing it, fifty thousand strong, While we were marching through Georgia.
Chorus-" Hurrah ! Hurrah ! we bring the Jubilee ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! the flag that makes you free !" So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea, While we were marching through Georgia.
£
397
1864
ARMY SONGS AND POETRY.
How the darkies shouted when they heard the joyful sound ! How the turkeys gobbled which our commissary found ! How the sweet potatoes even started from the ground, While we were marching through Georgia.
Yes, and there were Union men who wept with joyful tears, When they saw the honored flag they hadn't seen for years ; Hardly could they be restrained from breaking out in cheers, While we were marching through Georgia.
" Sherman's dashing Yankee boys will never reach the coast !" So the saucy rebels said, and 'twas a handsome boast, Had they not forgot, alas, to reckon with the host, While we were marching through Georgia.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.