“Old Glory”
Description
"Say, have you heard the joyful news of Burnside's expedition...?" "The other day at Roanoke... The boys, to play a Union joke, ran up the flag of glory." The singer praises the Union soldiers, taunts the Confederates, and calls for their hanging
Notes
Burnside's expedition against the North Carolina coast was one of the first Union amphibious expeditions, and was quite successful (almost the only Union success in the war to this time). A large strip of North Carolina coast stayed in Union hands, which helped tighten the Union blockade.
This song was almost certainly composed in the early months of 1862 -- probably before the Battle of Antietam (Sept. 17, 1862), where Burnside had a chance to win the war, and muffed it. Certainly it must have been composed before the Battle of Fredericksburg that winter, when Burnside lost the last shreds of his reputation. The North Carolina campaign had been a pushover, requiring little but energy (which Burnside had). Defeating Robert E. Lee took brains (which Burnside didn't have). - RBW
Historical references
- Feb. 7, 1862 - Burnside's North Carolina expedition approaches Roanoke Island
- Feb. 8, 1862 - Burnside defeats Henry Wise's local troops to capture Roanoke Island
- Mar. 14, 1862 - Burnside takes New Bern
- Apr. 26, 1862 - Burnside captures Beaufort
- July 3, 1862 - Burnside and some 7500 of his troops are transferred to the Army of the Potomac
References
- JHCox 71, "Old Glory" (1 text)
- Roud #5461
- BI, JHCox072