A War Song

Dedicated to Co. H, 3d. W.Va. Volunteers, and sung by them, in the camp and on the march, in 1862-1863.

[Source: Rustic Rhymes, by Winfield Scott Garner, 1904]

'Twas in the pleasant month of June,
In Eighteen-Sixty-One
That "Co. H" was organized
To take the rifled gun
And march away to Dixie's land,
To meet the rebel foe -
To guard with care the sea and land,
And lay Secession low!

We hail from Preston County,
Near the town of Brandonville;
We are horny-handed farmers,
And were never taught to kill,
But this rumpus in the Southland -
Jeff Davis and his crew -
Demands some sharp attention,
And some minnie bullets too!

Our Captain's name is Hagans,
He's handsome, brave and true;
He marched us first to Clarksburg,
Where we donned the Union blue.
Our call was next to Cumberland,
To learn the army drill,
And to dose Secessionists
With the active minnie pill!

From there we moved to New Creek,
Then on to Romney town,
Where we met the Rebel gray-coats
And done them up in brown!
We captured all their cannons,
Their horses, wagons, too,
And taught those Johnny rebels
What Uncle Sam can do!

We're quartered now at Cumberland,
To guard the "B. and O.,"
We're sure that many a battlefield
Our mettle yet will show,
For we've enlisted for the war -
We're not afraid to fight -
We intend to put Secession down,
And triumph for the right!

Brandonville, February 3, 1862.