The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star;
While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

George Frederick Root

Root was a prolific patriotic composer, eventually writing over 200 songs. His "The Battle Cry of Freedom" was arguably the most popular of his many compositions. Other well-known and classic Civil War songs by Root are; "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" (The Prisoner’s Hope), “The Vacant Chair,” and "Just before the Battle, Mother."

"The Battle Cry of Freedom" performed by Tom Roush.

From Tom Roush regarding his performance of "The Battle Cry of Freedom":
“This song is dedicated to the colored regiments and common foot soldiers that served in the Union army during the Civil War. Unlike the Generals and officers, these souls were the unsung heroes who never got much credit for winning the war. Many of them only served as cannon fodder to incompetent officers. George Root, the songs composer, also wrote ‘Just Before the Battle, Mother’. I am playing a violin in this recording that actually came from his music store in Chicago in the 1870′s. This Civil War era song and others can be found on my new CD ‘The Blue -The Gray, and Somewhere In Between.’ which is now available.“– Tom Roush
Visit The Music of Tom Roush Web site for more of his Civil War music.

"The Battle Cry of Freedom" has two versions of lyrics, one for the Union and one for the Confederacy.

"The Battle Cry of Freedom" Lyrics – Union version

Yes we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom,
We will rally from the hillside, we'll gather from the plain,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

        (Chorus)
        The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah!
        Down with the traitor, up with the star;
        While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again,
        Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

We are springing to the call with a million freemen more,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And we'll fill our vacant ranks of our brothers gone before,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

        Chorus

We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And although he may be poor, not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

        Chorus

So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love best,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

        Chorus

"The Battle Cry of Freedom" Lyrics – Confederate version.

Our flag is proudly floating on the land and on the main,
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!
Beneath it oft we've conquered, and we'll conquer oft again!
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!

        (Chorus)
        Our Dixie forever! She's never at a loss!
        Down with the eagle and up with the cross!
        We'll rally 'round the bonny flag, we'll rally once again,
        Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!

Our gallant boys have marched to the rolling of the drums.
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!
And the leaders in charge cry out, "Come, boys, come!"
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!--

        Chorus

They have laid down their lives on the bloody battle field.
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!
Their motto is resistance -- "To tyrants we'll not yield!"
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!--

        Chorus

While our boys have responded and to the fields have gone.
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!
Our noble women also have aided them at home.
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!--

        Chorus

During the Civil War, the young Yankee and Rebel soldiers most likely were far away from home for the first time in their lives. It was common before the war, for these young soldiers never to have traveled more than 25 miles away from their homes. Now, they could find themselves hundreds of miles away from their loved ones and homes. Understandingly, these young men often suffered from homesickness.

To keep in touch with their loved ones, the soldiers, and their families wrote letters back and forth. Pen and ink were often not available, so most of the handwritten letters were in pencil. Rough handwriting and phonetic spelling are common in these letters. For the Union, 90,000 letters went through Washington, D.C. daily. In Louisville, Kentucky 180,000 Union letters passed through daily.

Major Sullivan Ballou of the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers was 32-years-old at the beginning of the Civil War. He was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island and after attending the National Law School in Ballston, New York he was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar. Ballou married Sarah on October 15, 1855 and they had two sons, Edgar and William. Ballou was a Republican and a strong supporter of President Abraham Lincoln. He volunteered the spring of 1861. He and his men left Providence, Rhode Island for Washington, D.C. on June 19.

Major Sullivan Ballou

As what would become known as the First Battle of Bull Run (the Confederates called the same battle the First Battle of Manassas) approached, Sullivan Ballou wrote a letter to his wife back home in Smithfield. On July 14, 1861 Ballou wrote to Sarah as he sat alone in a tent at Camp Clarke in Washington, D.C., Ballou knew that the army would soon be moving southward against the Confederates, and that he would soon see battle. We’ll never know for sure, but perhaps he had a premonition of death, because he now took the opportunity to write a touching letter to his wife. In the letter, Ballou writes of his love for Sarah, and of his duty to his country.

Many are familiar with the Sullivan Ballou letter from hearing it during Ken Burns’s documentary The Civil War which aired in 1990. The letter was introduced by narrator David McCullough, and read by Paul Roebling with Jay Ungar’s Ashokan Farewell playing in the background. It only caught the hearts of everyone who heard it. The Sullivan Ballou letter is perhaps the most emotional and memorable letter written by a soldier in the Civil War.

The version of the Sullivan Ballou letter heard in The Civil War documentary was a shortened one. Some of Ballou’s words about his family and childhood are missing from the television presentation of the letter. In fact, the original Sullivan Ballou letter apparently did not survive, and has been lost to history. There are versions of the letter available today, but it is unknown which is most similar to the original written by Ballou.

Here is the Sullivan Ballou letter as it was heard in The Civil War by Ken Burns:

Sullivan Ballou Letter

July 14,1861 Washington, DC Dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days – perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing – perfectly willing – to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

Here is a longer version of the Sullivan Ballou letter:

July the 14th, 1861

Major Sullivan Ballou suffered a mortal injury on July 21, 1861 at the First Battle of Bull Run. Ballou lost his right leg when a Confederate six-pounder artillery shell slammed into him and his horse as he was riding at the front of his regiment. The horse was killed instantly, and the very severely injured Major Ballou was taken off the battlefield. What was left of his leg, had to be amputated. Major Sullivan Ballou died of his battle injury on July 28, and was buried in a yard very close to Sudley Church.

After the First Battle of Bull Run, the Confederates held the ground where Ballou was buried. According to witnesses, gruesome treatment of Ballou’s body followed. Confederate soldiers (supposedly, members of the 21st Georgia Infantry, but there is some uncertainty regarding this) dug up Ballou’s body, chopped off his head, and performed further insults and profanations to his remains. With these events, Sullivan Ballou’s body was never recovered. What was thought to be the charred ash and bone of Sullivan Ballou was later put to rest at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island.

Barnes&Noble: For Love and Liberty: The Untold Civil War Story of Major Sullivan Ballou and His Famous Love Letter

The now famous Sullivan Ballou letter may never have been mailed to Sarah. Rhode Island Governor William Sprague went to Virginia to gather the effects of soldiers from Rhode Island who had fallen at Bull Run. Sullivan’s letter to Sarah was among his personal effects, and Governor Sprague delivered the letter to Sarah Ballou.

Sarah was only 24-years-old when her husband Sullivan Ballou died. Eventually, she lived out her life with her son William in New Jersey. She died in 1917 at the age of 80 and was buried next to her husband’s remains at Swan Point Cemetery.

Sarah never re-married.

The Ashokan Farewell music served as the theme for The Civil War by Ken Burns. It is hauntingly unforgettable. The song is heard 25 times during the miniseries and is the background music for the reading of the Sullivan Ballou letter. Ashokan Farewell was a perfect match for the story and scenes of The Civil War miniseries.

With music, Ashokan Farewell puts the sadness of the Civil War into our hearts, in a way all today can understand and feel.

Contrary to common thought, Ashokan Farewell is not music from the Civil War era. Instead, it is from our modern times and is the only music in The Civil War miniseries not from the 19th century. It’s name comes from a village in the New York Catskill Region, named Ashokan. The Ashokan Reservoir now covers most of this village. Jay Ungar composed Ashokan Farewell in 1982. It features a solo violin at the beginning, and later a guitar accompanies. Ungar wrote Ashokan Farewell in the style of a Scottish lament.

Barnes&Noble: Ashokan Farewell (The Civil War Soundtrack)

Ashokan Farewell

In June 1861, a small lad in Newark, Ohio gazed at Union troops marching through his town and despite his too young age, he wanted to join up and fight in the Civil War. The boy’s name was John Joseph Klem.

Earlier, Klem tried to enlist in the 3rd Ohio Infantry, but because of his age and small size, young Klem was turned away. Johnny Clem (he would be known by this name and spelling, later he would be called Johnny Shiloh, and officially he changed his name to John Lincoln Clem) was persistent with his desire to join the army, so he trailed along with the 22nd Massachusetts as it marched through Newark.

Johnny Clem

The 22nd Massachusetts made Clem its mascot and drummer boy. A sawed-off rifle and a small uniform were provided him, and officers of the Massachusetts unit pooled together to pay Johnny the regular soldier’s pay of thirteen dollars a month. Johnny was not yet even 10-years-old, but now he was a drummer (but, not necessarily a good one!), unofficially fighting for the Union. Two years later, Johnny Clem would be allowed to enlist. On May 1, 1863 Johnny officially became a musician in Company C, 22nd Michigan. A nurse describes Johnny Clem; "was a fair and beautiful child…about twelve years old, but very small for his age. He was only about thirty inches high and weighed about sixty pounds." Johnny Clem was one of the youngest soldiers for either the Union or Confederate armies, to fight in the Civil War. Johnny would go on to fame in the Civil War, and make the army his career.

It has been common for Johnny Clem to also be known as "Johnny Shiloh." A story goes that young Clem was at the 1862 Shiloh battle and his drum was broken by an artillery projectile, and then he picked up a gun for the fight. This story was very popular and eventually a poem, a play, and a song were all named "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh." Clem at Shiloh however, is questionable history.

There were others who claimed to be the actual "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh," but a study by the National Park Service showed Clem to be the most likely one. Clem’s service indicates he was with the 3rd Ohio, the 22nd Michigan, and the 22nd Wisconsin. The trouble is, is that the 3rd Ohio was not at Shiloh, and the 22nd Michigan, and the 22nd Wisconsin were not organized until after Shiloh. At this time, Johnny Clem was not yet officially a soldier, he was a young boy dressed up as a soldier trying to play the drum. He would not have been reassigned to any units that were at Shiloh. This BlogMaster will leave it up to the reader to decide if Johnny Clem is also Johnny Shiloh. We will see that there is no reason to doubt Johnny Clem’s bravery.

At Chickamauga on September 20, 1863 Johnny Clem rode to the front of the battle on an artillery caisson, carrying along his cut-down rifle. As the course of the battle played out, the Union troops had to retreat and during this a Confederate colonel encountered young Clem and demanded his surrender. Johnny Clem halted as if to comply, but then raised his cut-down rifle at the enemy officer and fired, wounding him.

Barnes&Noble: The Boys’ War

On learning of Johnny’s exploits, General George H. Thomas promoted Johnny to the rank of lance corporal. Newspapers told Johnny Clem’s story and he gained celebrity status, becoming known as "The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga."

In October, 1863 Johnny Clem was detailed as a train guard in Georgia when Confederate cavalry captured him. Johnny was freed two months later during a prisoner exchange, but the Confederate newspapers used his capture to ridicule the Union with this barb; "what sore straits the Yankees are driven, when they have to send their babies to fight us."

Johnny Clem was assigned to General Thomas’s staff as a mounted orderly in January, 1864. During the Atlanta Campaign, young Johnny was twice wounded. On September 19, 1864 he was discharged from the army. President Grant gave Johnny Clem an appointment to West Point, but Johnny had spent his youth and times as a soldier. His lack of formal education prevented him from passing the West Point entrance exam.

President Grant came through for Johnny Clem again by making him a second lieutenant of the 24th Infantry, a unit of black soldiers, in 1871. Johnny thus began his second army term. He advanced to the rank of colonel in the Quartermaster Corps. Clem was able to remain on active duty long enough to become the last Civil War veteran still on duty in the Armed Forces.

John Lincoln Clem completed his military career when he retired in 1916. At his retirement, a special act of Congress made him Major General John Clem. He passed away at age 85, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

A history of the Civil War is incomplete, unless it includes Johnny Clem’s story.

Barnes&Noble: Music of the Civil War Era

Also known as Paul Vane, a sequel To Lorena. Lorena was a very popular love song of the Civil War. For the background of the song Lorena, please see this post: Lorena.     Here is Lorena’s Reply, it was also written by Reverend H. D. L. Webster and was published in 1863, six years after Lorena. This rendition is by Tom Roush.

"Lorena’s Reply," Tom Roush. Tom Roush’s web site.

Barnes&Noble: Lorena on Songs of the Civil War CD

Lorena was published in 1857, it became one of the most popular songs of the Civil War. This song was a special favorite of the Confederate army. Lorena has a beautiful melody and the lyrics are by Reverend H. D. L. Webster, but the actual origin of this song is uncertain. With the success of Lorena, many babies, towns, and at least one steamship, were named Lorena.

Following is a rendition of Lorena arranged and recorded by Tom Roush. It is quite good, although careful readers and listeners will notice that Roush’s version varies somewhat from the lyrics presented in this post. Apparently, there were some people who wanted to fill the Civil War with silly love songs. And what was wrong with that? Your BlogMaster would like to know, ’cause here they go again…   [apologies to P. M.]     The years creep slowly by, Lorena The snow is on the grass again The sun’s low down the sky, Lorena The frost gleams where the flowers have been But the heart throbs on as warmly now As when the summer days were nigh Oh, the sun can never dip so low A-down affection’s cloudless sky.   A hundred months have passed, Lorena Since last I held that hand in mine And felt the pulse beat fast, Lorena Though mine beat faster far than thine A hundred months…’twas flowery May When up the hilly slope we climbed To watch the dying of the day And hear the distant church bells chime.

"Lorena" by Tom Roush. Tom Roush’s web site.

We loved each other then, Lorena More than we ever dared to tell And what we might have been, Lorena Had but our loving prospered well But then, ’tis past, the years have gone I’ll not call up their shadowy forms I’ll say to them, "Lost years, sleep on Sleep on, nor heed life’s pelting storms."   The story of the past, Lorena Alas! I care not to repeat The hopes that could not last, Lorena They lived, but only lived to cheat I would not cause e’en one regret To rankle in your bosom now "For if we try we may forget" Were words of thine long years ago.   Yes, these were words of thine, Lorena They are within my memory yet They touched some tender chords, Lorena Which thrill and tremble with regret ‘Twas not the woman’s heart which spoke Thy heart was always true to me A duty stern and piercing broke The tie which linked my soul with thee.   It matters little now, Lorena The past is in the eternal past Our hearts will soon lie low, Lorena Life’s tide is ebbing out so fast There is a future, oh, thank God! Of life this is so small a part ‘Tis dust to dust beneath the sod But there, up there, ’tis heart to heart.

The Civil War song, Jine the Cavalry.

Barnes&Noble: Cavalryman of the Lost Cause

The Civil War song, "Jine the Cavalry," is a popular Civil War song about J.E.B Stuart’s cavalry adventures. The song includes verses about events such as the ride around the Army of the Potomac, and the Gettysburg Campaign.   This song was the unofficial theme of James Ewell Brown Stuart’s cavalry corps and supposedly was a favorite of Stuart’s. Does it make you want to join the cavalry? Here’s one for all you Rebels out there…

CHORUS: If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!     We’re the boys who went around McClellian, Went around McClellian, went around McClellian! We’re the boys who went around McClellian, Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!

"Jine the Cavalry" From the 2nd South Carolina String Band’s Hard Road

CHORUS: If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!     We’re the boys who crossed the Potomicum, Crossed the Potomicum, crossed the Potomicum! We’re the boys who crossed the Potomicum, Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!

CHORUS: If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!     Then we went into Pennsylvania, Into Pennsylvania, into Pennsylvania! Then we went into Pennsylvania, Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!

CHORUS: If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!     The big fat Dutch gals hand around the breadium, Hand around the breadium, hand around the breadium! The big fat Dutch gals hand around the breadium, Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!     CHORUS: If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!     Ol’ Joe Hooker, won’t you come out of The Wilderness? Come out of The Wilderness, come out of The Wilderness? Ol’ Joe Hooker, won’t you come out of The Wilderness? Bully boys, hey! Bully boys, ho!     CHORUS: If you want to have a good time, jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! Jine the cavalry! If you want to catch the Devil, if you want to have fun, If you want to smell Hell, jine the cavalry!

The Civil War song, When Johnny Comes Marching Home.

Barnes&Noble: The Civil War Its Music Its Sounds CD

When Johnny Comes Marching Home, is attributed to "Father Louis Lambert," but most likely this is a pseudonym for Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore. When Gilmore wrote When Johnny Comes Marching Home, he was the bandmaster of Union General Benjamin Butler’s army in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tune of this song may have been written by Gilmore, may be from a Negro spiritual, or may have come from an Irish air.   This song is well-known and still popular in our times. Here’s one for you Yankees out there…

When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah! We’ll give him a hearty welcome then Hurrah! Hurrah! The men will cheer and the boys will shout The ladies they will all turn out And we’ll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching home.

"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 pleasures 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