Samuel H.M. Byers

[Mike Serpa]

Samuel H.M. Byers at the onset of the Civil War in 1861. Byers served in the Union Army during the Civil War and gained a great deal of inspiration for his poetic writing during the war. Byers's most famous work is a poem entitled "Sherman's March to the Sea" recapping events that took place during this famous piece of American history. Byers is also credited with writing the state song of Iowa, played to the melody of "O, Christmas Tree". After gaining fame and fortune from his writing, Byers pursued a career in diplomacy, serving in the U.S. Consulate in Switzerland and Italy. Byers then came back to the U.S., living out the remainder of his days in Los Angeles, California. Byers died in 1933, at the age 95.

Wilcox Library Digital Library
http://cdm270701.cdmhost.com/cdm/singleitem/collection/p270701coll7/id/201/rec/16

Sherman's March to the Sea
Samuel H. M. Byers (1838–1933)

[May 4 to December 21, 1864]1

OUR camp-fires 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 5
That hung over the mountain and tree,
And shouted, "Boys, up and be ready!
For Sherman will march to the sea."

Then cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman
Went up from each valley and glen, 10
And the bugles re-echoed the music
That came from the lips of the men;
For we knew that the stars in our banner
More bright in their splendor would be,
And that blessings from Northland would greet us 15
When Sherman marched down to the sea.

Then forward, boys, forward to battle,
We marched on our wearisome way,
We stormed the wild hills of Resaca;
God bless those who fell on that day! 20
Then Kenesaw, dark in its glory,
Frowned down on the flag of the free,
But the East and the West bore our standards,
And Sherman marched on to the sea.

Still onward we pressed, till our banners 25
Swept out from Atlanta's grim walls,
And the blood of the patriot dampened
The soil where the traitor flag falls;
Yet we paused not to weep for the fallen,
Who slept by each river and tree; 30
We twined them a wreath of the laurel
As Sherman marched down to the sea.

Oh! proud was our army that morning,
That stood where the pine darkly towers,
When Sherman said: "Boys, you are weary; 35
This day fair Savannah is ours!"
Then sang we a song for our chieftain,
That echoed o'er river and lea,
And the stars in our banner shone brighter
When Sherman marched down to the sea. 40

Note 1. This song was sung by thousands of Sherman's soldiers after the march, and had the honor of giving its name to the campaign it celebrates. Its author had been one of Sherman's army, and was captured at the battle of Chattanooga. While a prisoner he escaped, disguised himself in a Confederate uniform, went to the Southern army, and witnessed some of the fierce fighting about Atlanta. He was discovered and sent back to prison at Columbia, S. C., where he wrote the song. He soon escaped again, rejoined Sherman's army, and for a time served on General Sherman's staff. From Cape Fear River he was sent North with despatches to Grant and President Lincoln, bringing the first news of Sherman's successes in the Carolinas.

http://www.bartleby.com/360/8/193.html


"Song of Iowa"
written by S.H.M. Byers to the music of Tannenbaum

You asked what land I love the best, Iowa, tis Iowa,
The fairest State of all the west, Iowa, O! Iowa,
From yonder Misissippi's stream
To where Missouri's waters gleam
O! fair it is as poet's dream, Iowa, in Iowa.

See yonders fields of tasseled corn, Iowa in Iowa,
Where plenty fills her golden horn, Iowa in Iowa,
See how her wonderous praries shine.
To yonder sunset's purpling line,
O! happy land, O! land of mine, Iowa, O! Iowa.

And she has maids whose laughing eyes, Iowa, O! Iowa.
To him whose loves were Paradise, Iowa, O! Iowa
O! happiest fate that e'er was known.
Such eyes to shine for one alone,
To call such beauty all his own. Iowa, O! Iowa

Go read the story of thy past. Iowa, O! Iowa
What glorious deeds, what fame thou hast! Iowa, O! Iowa
So long as time's great cycle runs,
Or nations weep their fallen ones,
Thou'lt not forget thy patriot sons, Iowa, O! Iowa

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Iowa/Iowastatesong.html

 

[War Horse]

Thank you for posting very interesting.

 

[Patrick H]

It's always interesting to find out what some of these guys did in later life. With so many thousands serving on both sides, it's no wonder that a sampling of them achieved later fame that was far removed from their military careers.