When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea

When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea

Union song 
 
Adjutant Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers-1865

Our campfires shone bright on the mountains,
That frowned on the river below;
While we stood by our guns in the morning,
And eagerly watched for the foe,
When a rider came out of the darkness
That hung over mountain and tree,
And shouted, "Boys! up and be ready.
For Sherman will march to the sea."

Then shout upon shout for bold Sherman,
Went up from each valley and glen;
And the Bugles re-echoed the music,
That rose from the lips of the men,
For we knew that the stars in our banners
More bright to their splendor would be
And that blessings from North land would great us,
While Sherman marched down to the sea.   
 
 
Then forward boys! Forward to battle!
We marched on our wearisome way;
And we stormed the wild hills of Resaca,
God bless those who fell on that day!
Then Kennesaw, dark in its glory
Frowned down on the flag of the free,
But the East and the West bore our Standards
When Sherman marched down to the sea. 
 4. Still onward we pressed till our banners
Swept out from the Atlanta's grim walls,
And the blood of the patriots dampened
The soil where the Traitor flag falls,
Yes we paused not to weep for the fallen,
Who sleep by each river and tree.
But we twined that a wreath of the laurel,
When Sherman marched down to the sea.  
 5. Oh, proud was our army that morning,
That stood by the Cypress and Pine,
When Sheman said, "Boys you are weary.
This day fair Savannah is thine."
Then sang we a song for our Chieftain,
That echoed o'er river and lea.
And the stars on our Banners shone brighter,
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

"When Sherman Marched Down to the Sea," was written in commemoration of Sherman and his men after the War.  Most Northerners of the time recognized Sherman's March as one of the main factors that brought about the end of the War.  The song is more or less a firsthand account of each step of the March beginning with the Atlanta Campaign and ending with the capture of Savannah.  This song was also one of the songs that Southerners resented most.