First Impressions

This weekend saw the 145th Anniversary of the Battle of Olustee, Florida. (An AAR of Saturday's tactical will be following shortly.) The time was spent largely with a contingent of the Southeastern Coalition of Authentic Reenactors (SCAR) known as the Salt River Rifles. I've followed the movements of the SRR and SCAR for some time now, and it was a pleasure to finally get to meet the members of these elite groups in person.

Apparently I made a good impression on them as well, for I've been invited by their commanding officer to join their ranks, effective immediately. This doesn't interfere with my primary unit affiliation, Company A of the 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but rather provides an outlet for authentic reenacting to supplement the mainstream/progressive actions of my band of brothers from the Land of Lincoln.

I think I've got a good impression in mind for these groups, as well: a Southern Unionist, who has left his home and love upon the outbreak of hostilities to fight for preservation of the union. I'd like to get a thorough first-person portrayal for this one going soon.

I know, I'm a dork for the hobby, but if you're reading this blog, you probably have some interest in it as well.

There's a yellow rose in Georgia
That I am gonna see
No other soldier knows her
No soldier only me
She cried so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

Oh the Chattahoochee's flowing
And the starry skies are bright
She walks along the river
In the quiet summer night
I know that she remembers
When we parted long ago
I promised to come back again
And not to leave her so

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

Well my feet are shod and ready
And my heart is full of light
I'm going back to Georgia
To give the Rebs a fight
You may talk about your McClellan
And sing of General Meade
But Uncle Billy Sherman's gonna show you can't secede

She's the sweetest little rosebud
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew
You can talk about your dearest June
And sing of Natalie
But the yellow rose of Georgia beats the belles of Missouri

The Battle Cry of Freedom

No, I'm not talking about James McPherson's masterful work (though, if you really wanted me to, I wouldn't mind doing that at all). No, I'm talking about the song, that glorious marching song used by both armies during the war. I've been around reenactors a while, and I always noticed that whoever is singing it, the lyrics are always slightly different. So, enter the Google.

Turns out there are many "official" versions (if you believe the Internet) of the song. Most have some common theme - usually the chorus - though I've found one or two that are vastly different.

So, using a mental Venn diagram of the whole combined works, I've put together this rather long composite of all the versions I've found of the Federal version of the song. It's a lot to remember, but it shouldn't be impossible - anyone who's recalled all the words to "Marching on to Richmond" while slogging their way through dense underbrush or tramping along country lanes should have no problem with the new words to a familiar melody.

Or maybe you all knew this already, and I'm just preaching to the choir. Either way...here ya go.

Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
We will rally from the hillside
We'll gather from the plains,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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
of our brothers gone before,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we'll fill the vacant ranks
With a million free men more,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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 will welcome to our numbers
The loyal, true and brave,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And although they may be poor
Not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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 marching to the field, boys, we’re going to the fight
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we bear the glorious stars for the Union and the right
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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 will raise the rebel host, boys, with fearless heart and true
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And we’ll show what Uncle Sam has for loyal boys to do
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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!

If we fall amid the fray, boys, we’ll face them to the last
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And our comrades brave shall hear us as they go rushing past
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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!

Yes, for liberty and union we’re springing to the fight
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
And the victory shall be ours for we’re rising in our might
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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!

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 the best,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

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!

One day, hopefully soon, I'll put up a similar composition for the Confederate version of the song. Until then, my secesh friends will have to wait it out, or sing to the tune of the Union.