[6] The author of this song was mortally wounded at the battle of Seven Pines.
[7] Dedicated to the Crescent Regiment, of New Orleans, Col. M. J. Smith.
[8] These verses were published, early in 1862, in the Raleigh (N. C.) “Register.” From the camp of the Massachusetts Twenty-Second Regiment, they were sent as a part of a letter to the “Boston Traveller,” on May 31st, of the same year, and printed in that paper on the 6th of June.
[9] A good clergyman, on being censured for introducing a “song tune” into his choir at church, replied that he “did not think it fair that the devil should have all the good music.” In like manner, we will never give up “Hail Columbia” to the Abolitionists. It is ours; and we mean to hold, as one of our dearest rights, this, the grandest march ever composed by mortal man.
[10] This song was very popular with the Southern troops, and was sung with great effect to the measure of “Ye Mariners of England.”
[11] This song was published in the Memphis “Appeal,” in December, 1861, was a great favorite with Tennessee troops, and was sung even after the peace was declared.
[12] It may add something to the interest with which these stirring lines will be read, to know that they were composed within the walls of a Yankee Bastile. They reach us in manuscript, through the courtesy of a returned prisoner.—Richmond Examiner.
[13] The publisher of “The Southern Soldier’s Prize Songster,” Mr. W. F. Wisely, of Mobile, Alabama, determined to use his efforts to produce a collection of original songs, solely by Southern writers, “offered a premium of fifty dollars” for the best song suited to the present time. A committee of three gentlemen (Rev. Dr. Pierce, Hon. Percy Walker, and G. Y. Overall, Esq.) were appointed to make the award. Near thirty pieces were submitted in competition, most of them possessing high literary merit. After much deliberation, the committee selected the piece entitled “Southland,” as the most meritorious. The author’s name was not given, he only requesting in his note that the money, if awarded him, should be paid over for the benefit of our necessitous soldiers. This modesty will add to the attractiveness of his piece, which is the first in the present volume.—Preface to “The Southern Soldier’s Prize Songster, containing Martial and Patriotic Pieces (chiefly original) applicable to the present war. Mobile, Ala.: W. F. Wisely, No. 38 St. Michael St., 1864.”
[14] This piece was originally published in the “Richmond Whig” at the time of “Stonewall” Jackson’s last descent upon Maryland.
[15] Heard after Pelham died.