Common (?) Songs

[Secede1863]

Hello All,
The Bonnie Blue Flag is a very popular reenacting song BUT was it a popular War cry/song?
According to some No,
The song was only known by about 5% of the population and hardly any of the soldiers had even heard of it.
I wanted to find out...Has the Bonnie Blue Flag been made into more than what it really was?

Regards,
Andrew Stebbins

[vbetts]

I'm curious--where did you get the 5%, and what was the year that represented? 1861? 1865?

SAVANNAH [GA] REPUBLICAN, January 10, 1863, p. 2, c. 5
New Music.
Just Received:
"Stonewall" Jackson's Grand March 50c
President Davis' Inauguration March 75c
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's March 75c
Beauregard's Manassas Quickstep 75c
Rock Me to Sleep, Mother 50c
Bonnie Blue Flag 50c
Copies sent by mail.
Schreiner & Oxenius.

SAVANNAH [GA] REPUBLICAN, February 4, 1863, p. 1, c. 4
The little children of New Orleans, who have inherited southern feelings and southern antipathies have been accustomed to sing the "Bonnie Blue Flag" and to cheer for Jeff Davis, when Yankee troops are passing. To suppress such demonstrations, Banks has issued a formal military order, announcing that he will hold the parents of such children for such offenses responsible to the highest military penalties.

SAVANNAH [GA] REPUBLICAN, May 30, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
Last Friday in May.—This is the occasion of the annual inspection by the Mayor and Aldermen of the Savannah Fire Company, and is always a source of much enjoyment to the colored firemen, free and slave, under its command. In their parade yesterday afternoon, they presented a neat and handsome appearance; their uniforms bright and clean; their engines tastefully decorated and in good condition; and their happy countenances told that there could be no greater pleasure to them than "running wid der masheen," or joining in their chosen songs and choruses. In passing along the Bay their engines were decorated with Confederate and battle flags as well as wreathes of flowers. They sang with a hearty good will the "Bonnie Blue Flag," and at the chorus they swelled out in very good accord the "Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears the Southern Star." Their conduct was very orderly and done them credit.

MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [ATLANTA, GA], June 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 8
A spunky Girl.--A letter in a Northern paper says: "One of the houses destroyed by the Queen of the West on her trip down the Mississippi belonged to an old gentleman, who, with his two sons and daughters, carried on the farm and worked the negroes. One of the young ladies admitted that her brother had fired on the Queen of the West, and only wished that he had been a dozen. She abused the colonel and berated the Federals. When she discovered that her abuse failed to move Colonel Ellett, just as the flames began to circle around the house top, she sang, in a ringing, defiant tone of voice, the "Bonnie Blue Flag," until forest and river echoed and re-echoed.

DAILY MISSOURI DEMOCRAT [ST. LOUIS], January 6, 1864, p. 2, c. 2
[letter from Little Rock, Dec. 17, 1863]
Still there are a good many sympathizers with the Southern cause, chiefly women, gay young lasses, tripping along to the tune of "Dixie," or humming the "Bonnie Blue Flag." From my window I now see a bevy of native girls sauntering without hoops along the streets, throwing disdainful glances at our officers, and now and then a kiss to some captured Confederate. And then, down another street, where the bright sun's rays, falling through the thick leaves, make a moving panorama on the street and sidewalk, flit women quietly chewing snuff sticks, like a canoe floating down stream with the paddle sticking out of the side.

MOBILE REGISTER AND ADVERTISER, December 20, 1862, p. 2, c. 5
Southern Song Books.
Just published, the 2d Edition of
The Bonnie Blue Flag Song Book.
-and-
The Dixie Land Songster.
Price $2 per hundred or $10 per thousand.
Blackmar & Bro.
Augusta, Ga.

MOBILE REGISTER AND ADVERTISER, March 15, 1863, p. 2, c. 4
Camp of Washington Artillery,
Near Fredericksburg, Va., Feb. 23, 1863
. . . You have heard, I presume, of the second performance of the "Washington Artillery Varieties" Company—it was a complete success, even better than the performance before the battle of Fredericksburg—in fact, the army thinks the Varieties an "institution." . . .
"Toodles" was the afterpiece—Corpl. H., of 2d Co., as Toodles, and Sergt. B., of same company, as Mrs. T. Of course throughout the plays the house came down an unknown number of times, and everybody was delighted. The band, played the "Bonnie Blue Flag" as our audience scattered for their respective camps in the jolliest mood imaginable.

MOBILE REGISTER AND ADVERTISER, September 18, 1863, p. 1, c. 7
Duel Between Ladies.
We find the following paragraph in the Philadelphia Inquirer, on the 2d:
On Monday forenoon several ladies, while on a visit to a friend's house, a short distance from Gray's Ferry, were amusing themselves by singing and dancing, when one of them, a resident of Baltimore, sung a verse of the Bonnie Blue Flag; one of the other ladies jestingly said, "You are a rebel," at which another commenced the Southern Marsellaise; when it was finished, the lady who had been called a rebel, said, "I wish we had pistols. I'd fight a duel with you for calling me a rebel." . . .

AUSTIN STATE GAZETTE, January 28, 1863, p. 1, c. 5. [Summary: "The Re-Taking of Galveston" inscribed to Gen. Magruder, by Mary L. Wilson, air—"The Bonnie Blue Flag."]

BELLVILLE [TX] COUNTRYMAN, December 6, 1862, p. 2, c. 3. [Summary: words to "Bonnie Blue Flag"]

CHARLESTON MERCURY, April 28, 1864, p. 2, c. 1
Wanted--A "Bonnie Blue Flag."--We learn that the brigade of the gallant and popular Gen. Stevens, of this State, is in need of a battle flag. As blue silk is now exceedingly scarce, we have been requested to ask that some lady who may possess a silk dress of suitable hue, will devote it to the patriotic purpose of supplying the material for the future standard of Stevens' Brigade. The men of the brigade, we know, could never shrink in the face of danger or death, with such a flag fluttering in their van.
Dresses that are suitable may be sent to Mr. Frederick Richards, of the firm of Edgerton, Richards & Co., who is ready to pay whatever price may be fixed for the dress selected.

DALLAS HERALD, March 25, 1863, p. 2, c. 3
By the Grape Vine.—Our informant who gave us the facts in regard to the capture of the Queen of the West, on Red River, and who was forced to go with the Queen down the Atchafalaya, relates the following incident:
At one of the places burnt by the Queen, and owned by a lady who had been thus villainously left houseless, the valiant Commander attempted to converse with her on the bank from the deck of his boat. She proved true pluck for him. He asked her:
"Madam, have you a father, brothers or any other relative in this war?"
The lady was quite young, a widow, with two young boys of five and seven years of age by her side. Her reply was a stinger to this three, six and nine month invader and subjugator of old Abe. She answered, in sight of the smoldering ruins of her home:
"I have two brothers in the army; and if you keep on this war twelve years longer, (pressing the heads of her boys,) I shall have two sons to fight you till their deaths. I expect nothing better than arson and murder from any of your tribe.
The commander slope to his gun-room, while the lady and boys cheered the departure of the Queen of the West with the Bonnie Blue Flag.—Natchez Courier.

[LITTLE ROCK] ARKANSAS TRUE DEMOCRAT, July 30, 1862, p. 1, c. 5
Butler was in trouble with the commanders of English vessels at New Orleans. On the 4th of July, a boat load of English tars coming up to the levee, sang "Dixie" and "the Bonnie Blue Flag." Butler sent word to the captain that he did not permit such demonstrations. The captain replied that he did. That night a ball was given on board the vessel, and among the decorations were Confederate flags. When the boat from the British ship Racer, visited the city, it came with the British flag at the stern and the Confederate flag at the bow.—Butler objected, but was told that the captain decorated his boat as he pleased. A crowd on the levee cheered the boat and this so enraged Butler that he had them arrested and sent to prison. Among them was a boy ten years of age.

NATCHEZ DAILY COURIER, September 18, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
We have received from Mr. Charles V. Taylor, who has opened a music store on Main street, next door to the Physicians Drug Store, the following pieces of music: "The Bonnie Blue Flag," "Gen. Beauregard's Grand March," "The Stars of our Banner" and the "Manassas Quickstep."

SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY [ATLANTA, GA], May 9, 1863, p. 2, c. 2
The Southern Girl With Homespun Dress.
----
(Author Unknown.)
----
Air--Bonnie Blue Flag.
----
Oh! yes, I am a Southern girl,
And glory in the name, . . .


Vicki Betts
vbetts@gower.net

[Secede1863]

I recieved my information from the member "Burke"
I would think the course of the war.
Regards,
Andrew Stebbins

[Eric Burke]

When did I tell you that?

[Secede1863]

You told me that on Messenger,
But thank You VBetts.

Regards,
Andrew Stebbins

[Eric Burke]

VBetts ... I went through your list of articles (which is considerably impressive) of "Bonnie Blue Flag" references, but am still not convinced that it would appropriate to be sung in camp. None of your news articles (with the possible exception of the "Washington Artillery Varieties" Company) talk about the troops themselves actually singing the song, but rather either brass bands playing it, or civilians singing it.

I have always been of the opinion that it was a popular homefront song, but really never reached the troops themselves (although the flag did). I suppose I would put it up there with Battle Cry of Freedom and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Although they were very popular tunes back and home, I doubt seriously that one could readily hear them being played/sung in camp.

[vbetts]

I will readily admit that my database has a very strong civilian bias, also a Southern one. I'd have to do additional research for specific references to songs known and sung in the camps. However, the Washington Artillery reference was indeed to their camp near Fredericksburg--the theatre was under the stars. The band mentioned was a combination of the 12th and 16th Mississippi. I feel pretty confident that with the song so widespread among the civilians, the military did at least recognize it. How often they sang the words (either original or parodied) I'll leave to the military music experts, unless I get a chance to do some digging......

Vicki Betts
Newspaper database:
http://www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/newspaper_titles.htm

[markj]

Greetings,

"Bonnie Blue Flag" (or at least the tune) was also well-known to Federal troops. I've seen a number of Union-themed songs set to the melody of "BBF." Among these is one, "Hurrah for Granger's Corps," written by a member of Wilder's Lightning Brigade in late 1863 or early 1864.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[styler]

The tune for Bonnie Blue Flag is Irish Jaunting Car. I think it was close to being as well known as Rosin the Beau; both were used in political campaign songs prior to the war. Battle Hymn was certainly less popular than John Brown's Body, but would have been sung as part of Christian Commission meetings. Don't forget that in the Union Army newspapers and magazines with the lyrics of new songs were readily available.

[va-yank]

This is something I've been pondering a bit lately. Here we have an example of a popular song, as evidenced by the sheet music and references. But was the song commonly sung in camp?

Music of the time is obviously not all soldier's music, some was meant for public performances - marching bands etc, some for the home front - pianoforte etc, and some for soldiers in camp - sentimental/romantic and minstrelsy type tunes. Crossover from one audience to another was, as today, a side effect of and a benefit to those publishing the music.

Its hard to imagine a bunch of soldiers sitting in camp singing Just Before the Battle Mother before sounding retreat. My guess is that a lot of the informal camp music had something to do with warfare, but that popular songs of the pre-war were heard very often, if not more often than not.

I've been trying to put together a "Regular Army" song book for Union troops, to include mostly these civilian and pre-war popular songs. Anyone have any suggestions? I've found quite a lot of interesting stuff on the LOC website, and a few good references in memoirs/diaries. But any examples of primary source would be appreciated.

[dusty27]

Fred,

Might I suggest that you try contacting David Kincaid through www.hauntedfieldmusic.com (http://www.hauntedfieldmusic.com) as I know he has done extensive research into Irish-American songs of the period and may be able to point you to some sources for your project.

[markj]

Greetings,

Well, as you undoubtedly know, "Rally 'Round the Flag" was extremely popular with Federal troops. This is an extract from an unpublished letter written by a member of "Wilder's Lightning Brigade," dated 25 January 1864 near Colliersville TN:

"Our march [to Memphis in mid-January] as you see was during the late severe weather, which ‎the citizens say was the coldest they had, had for 20 years. But not with standing the severe ‎hardships the boys were in excellent cheer, when trudging along leading our horses, some one ‎would Strike up in a clear musical voice the favorite Song,‎
‎“We’re Marching to the front Boys,‎
‎“Going to the fight,‎
‎“Shouting the battle cry of freedom” &c,,‎
And on coming [“to coming” is lined through here] to the chorus
‎“Rally rou[n]d the Flag boys &c,,”‎
all would join in until the song would roll through the entire column filling with frosty air with ‎the vibrations of the voices from hundreds of men...."

Contemporary hymns were also popular. "Old Hundred" (aka "The Doxology") was a particular favorite. The above soldier also sent home a printed broadside sheet of songs written by a comrade of his in honor of various engagements and individuals familiar to his regiment. The tunes used (with different lyrics) were, among others, "Bonnie Blue Flag" (renamed "Hurrah for Granger's Corps") and "Sword of Bunker Hill" (renamed "Storms of Chickamauga").

As I mentioned in a recent article I wrote for the "Watchdog," there were also "mess songs" within individual companies--most of which undoubtedly borrowed familiar tunes. Relatively few of these were committed to paper but I provided an example of one I found for the 44th Indiana.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[MarkTK36thIL]

It's hard to imagine that every song sung during the war was about the war in some way, so what would be some appropriate songs brought over from Germany, Scotland, or England to mix up those fond tunes we hear every time the ACW is mentionned? Thanks,
Mark Krausz
Prodigal Sons Mess of Co. B 36th IL Inf.

[markj]

Greetings,

Germans were a tuneful lot and, aside from belting the usual hits (e.g., "John Brown's Body"), some tunes I've seen mentioned in various wartime accounts are:

"Die Fahnenwacht" (The Color-Guard)
"Schleswig-Holstein Meerumschlungen" (Schleswig-Holstein Girt-by-the-Sea)
"In der Heimat ist es schoen" (It's So Beautiful in My Homeland)
"Morgenrot, Morgenrot" (Red--or Bloody--Dawn)
"Wohlauf Kameraden aufs Pferd" (roughly Behold, Comrade, Upon Your Steed)
"Die Marseillaise" (a German variant of the French national anthem although I've never been able to establish if it was, in fact, the Arbeiter-Marseillaise of "48'er" notoriety)

Another contemporary tune was "Ich hat' einen Kameraden" (I Once had a Comrade) which long pre-dated the American Civil War. Typical Lutheran tunes known to "Dutch" troops would certainly have been "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott" (A Mighty Fortress is Our God) and "Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr'" (bad translation: Alone, God, on High Be Praised) both of which date to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century.

However, whatever you do, DON'T sing "Lili Marlene"--it's very nice but the lyrics (originally written as a poem) only date to 1915 and it wasn't actually set to music until 1938. Leave that one to the WW II folks and Marlene Dietrich impressionists....

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[Fiddlebum]

Bell Wiley mentions songs sung/played in camp in The Life of Johnny Reb. I'm not at home right now and can't grab it off the shelf - but I'm sure several of you have this book. Also the last Time/Life Civil War book series, which was made up of personal accounts, mentions specific songs as well. I apologize for being so vague but as I said, I do not have the sources ready to hand at this particular moment. If I get a chance to trove through them over the holidays, I'll post what I find.

Cheers---

Kim Caudell

[MarkTK36thIL]

Thank you Mr. Jaeger for your list of songs, I'll be sure to look them up before the season starts. Don't worry about Lili Marlene, I can't even think of the tune to start with and a WWII impression is many years off anyway to start. Merry Christmas!

[RJSamp]

Sorry to burst your bubble Andrew. The Moravian Band of the 26th North Carolina was recognized as one of the finest bands in the Army of Northern Virgina. This brass band's music is published, and includes an early war arrangement of the Irish Jaunty Car tune, "The Bonnie Blue Flag".

Whether or not a brass band, fife, banjo, guitar, piano, organ, or any other instrumentally performed piece was sung with or without instrumental accompaniement I'll leave to your search of the OR's, diaries, and regimental histories. From my knowledge of period music and musicians (professional or amateur) I'd say it was sung by the singers amongst the troops.....in camp, on the march, and maybe even in battle. I have been known to sing Handel's Messiah, Morgenrot (auf Deutsch), America (nice Lutheran Hymn from Sweden), and untold number of instrumentally accompanied pieces...most of them referenced in period writings. Most sheet music, including "The Bonnie Blue Flag" did a brisk business with the soldiers...different verses and arrangements as well.

I do have direct references to "Maryland, My Maryland" being sung by common ordinary soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia during the 1st Invasion of Maryland while on the march. Of course this instrumentally accompanied tune (also in the 26th NC band music) was in German originally......but that didn't stop the Rebs from singing it....in English, with or without instrumental accompaniement, and with different words.....

RJ Samp

[RJSamp]

I wanted to find out...Has the Bonnie Blue Flag been made into more than what it really was?

Regards,
Andrew Stebbins

the 26th NC Band, one of the more popular and widely heard bands in the ANV, did in fact have the music for "The Bonnie Blue Flag" as part of it's standard repetoire.

1. recall how far a brass band can be heard at night if you want a clue on by how many this specific song was heard. the answer is Miles. whether the singers in the army sang it later, or concurrently, is best left to your research.

2. the second stanza of the arrangement is another popular song....a Northern Abolitionist song from a New York minstrel song..... yep, it's DIXIE.

so every time they heard the Bonnie Blue Flag played they also heard Dixie, and vice versa.

It is written that the 26th NCT band played this arrangment as HETH moved out of Cashtown on the way to Gettysburg on July 1st, 1863.

RJ Samp

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo Kameraden und Kameradinnen!

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