Bummers First Person Library

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Nic, good stuff. There were multiple versions of the song, is the above version the one most often referred to?

I found this link from PBS that lets you listen to the song and also gives some different versions as well.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/brown/s...wnsong_all.wav

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/brown/sfeature/song.html

[Iceman]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Pete,

I honestly cannot tell you if the lyrics that I posted were the most popular, or not. If there's multiple lyrics, and if military bands and soldiers were singing and playing this song constantly during the March, then maybe it should be at the company level that each man agrees on which version they would like to sing during the weekend.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Pete,

I honestly cannot tell you if the lyrics that I posted were the most popular, or not. If there's multiple lyrics, and if military bands and soldiers were singing and playing this song constantly during the March, then maybe it should be at the company level that each man agrees on which version they would like to sing during the weekend.

Nic, I think it is a great idea and looking at these lyrics verses others , it seems that this version might be the quickest to remember. The wav file I posted earlier has the version with the lyrics you posted . It would be awesome to here 300 plus Federals singing this on the March.

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Nic, I think it is a great idea and looking at these lyrics verses others , it seems that this version might be the quickest to remember. The wav file I posted earlier has the version with the lyrics you posted . It would be awesome to here 300 plus Federals singing this on the March.

Pete, given the fact that Bummers is intending to portray groups of foragers, rather than Sherman’s main body…. There shouldn’t be 300+ Federals marching together. But it would be cool to hear a 30 man Federal foraging party singing that song… right before they start squealing like a girl scout troupe watching Scream III, as they are attacked from nowhere and everywhere all at the same time!

Mike Nickerson

[Iceman]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Mike,

You are correct when you say "groups" of foragers, as only a small group of men out of entire regiments would be picked to go out a foragers to find food for the rest of the army as it continued on it's march towards Savannah. Accounts talk about how these small parties would go out and forage for food, then bring it back and lay it on the side of the road for their regiment to march past and help themselves to the plunder, as they continued on their march. So, since we are portraying three Divisions of the 15th Corps, it wouldn't be right for every man to be a "bummer." Therefore, there will be times (I would think so, anyway) that there should/would be a large column of Federals all marching together, while small detachments go off in search of plunder.

[PogueMahone]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Nic,

Have you read the event information? All the Federal participants will be recreating the "small parties" foraging for food. The main column is imaginary. Every man is a bummer.

[PogueMahone]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

I thought this might be a different perspective for you:
New York Times article published January 23, 1865, one of the first detailed eyewitness reports from the field for the northern papers

The ignorance of the poor whites and negroes is highlighted in the article. The high morale and sense of superiority of Sherman's army is evident throughout.

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Just don't start singing "Marching Thru Georgia"...It wasn't written yet.

Jim Butler

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

written at the end of the war in 1865 by Henry Clay Work

[Mike Nickerson]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

Nic,

Have you read the event information? All the Federal participants will be recreating the "small parties" foraging for food. The main column is imaginary. Every man is a bummer.

Or maybe a better way to think of it is: Every man is a "target"!:wink_smil

Mike Nickerson

[Coatsy]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

The term "Bummer" seems to be given to a broad spectrum of individuals during the Savannah Campaign. From what I have read through the ORs, Hitchcock, Bull, Trudeau, Davis, etc the fringe elements that were pretty much deserters by army standards. These were the "Bummers" that terrorized the southern populace according to some. The men foraging for food, especially in the beginning of the campaign (which is the time frame at the event) were looking to sustain themselves and their comrades, these men were not going “Hog Wild.” Not in the Carolina’s Campaign way of things. (not this event) BUT….. To many southern civilians ALL Federal soldiers were "Bummers" in their mind's eye. According to my Great Grandfather all of Sherman’s men were Bummers and Thieves (We are of course of the Southern Persuasion. etc etc etc) So the matter of perspective is put into play.

So yeah the term gets tossed around.

If you are really board and don’t have much to do feel free to debate the meaning of “Bummer” to your heart’s content on the forum. I hope you’ve read the event information and prepared for the event itself.

Folks don't think too hard on this. The event is no great mystery. What we are doing is attempting to recreate the opening phases of the Savannah Campaign. Specifically the “Foraging for Food” part. People want to know "What's gonna happen?" But if us event staffers were to tell you then what's the point of attending?

Federals: you are looking for food or forage for your comrades. Yes there is "the main army" that you are marching "away" from to look for food. (XV Corps) The Blue Horde was pretty good at finding food by this time, but they didn't have it to an exact science. Later they did have more "practice" getting close to Savannah and then into the Carolinas. (not this event though)

The Blue Hoarders.... Just do your research, talk to you pards about your plan of action for foraging, square your gear away, come to the event prepared to be in the mind set for your respective unit, and make Uncle Billy proud of you.

Remember that your distinguished opposition was in Tennessee getting led to futility and disaster by Hood. You have only the D-Team led by the guy who previously had a nervous breakdown when given command of the Army of Northern Virginia for 2 days. What could possibly go wrong?

[PogueMahone]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

... especially in the beginning of the campaign (which is the time frame at the event) were looking to sustain themselves and their comrades, these men were not going “Hog Wild.” Not in the Carolina’s Campaign way of things. (not this event)

I would just like add a little emphasis to Herb's words.

[Mgreer]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

I am reading a book call Marching through Georgia by Lee Kennett

There are a few great passages in the book:

"Citizens reported coming across suspicious men, and sometimes whole groups of them, in out-of-the-way places. Joel Chandler Harris, out tramping the woods one day, came across an old cabin that was being shared by deserters from the Southern army and slaves who had fled their plantations...To the customary vagrants and transients of a rural society were now added penniless refugees, deserters, large numbers of runaway slaves,young men trying to stay ahead of the conscript officer, and soldiers with furloughs and no particular place to go; there were also some few Northern spies and scouts, whose numbersand importance the public tended to magnify."

Marvin

[Coatsy]

OMG so much FIR PER!!

These fun tidbits come from primary souces swiped and conveniently placed into a secondary source so that lazy History Majors such as your's truely can post all the "good stuff" with out having to be killed by a large book pile falling on them. Accounts from Trudeau's "Southern Storm." These are from the first five days out of Atlanta. Most of these passages are in regards to the Right Wing aka Army of the Tennessee. Some might have already been posted, but in all the hype I deem them worthy of repost....

Precursor:
“There are the men who do this… set as many guards as you please, they will slip in and set fire… didn’t order this but can’t be helped. I say Jeff. Davis burnt them. ~Sherman to Hitchcock after Federals torched parts of Marietta.

Day One:

General Howard in regards to the AOtT’s ammunition “the greatest possible economy must be observed in its use.”

General Frank Blair on spreading the men too thin: “the flanks of the army will be infested to a greater o less extent with bands of guerrillas, whose principle object will be to pick up stragglers.

General Osterhaus told his lead division commander to not “move to fast” while out in front.

“Of all things, the most important is, that the men, during marches and in camp, keep their places and do not scatter about as stragglers or forager, to be picked up by a hostile people in detail.” ~ Sheman’s Circular to the regimental camps.

“I beheld a column of black smoke ascending to the sky. Then another column of smoke arose, and another, and another, until it seemed that they merged together and the whole city was in flames.” ~NY soldier in regards to Atlanta as the Federals marched south.

“Exciting time, ran into the Rebel Pickets, drove them into their camp, took their camp, Equipage, several prisoners and part of their wagon train” ~10th Ohio Cavalry soldier south of Atlanta near Lovejoy Station.

“Yesterday the division commander had insisted on issuing whiskey to the soldiers. Today there were several so inebriated in one company that they could not stay in ranks.” ~ General Manning Force

“We made slow progress, ten minutes march and twenty minutes’ standstill, weight on left leg and head under wing” ~Minnesota Solider first day out of Atlanta

“We found some Rebel pickets at Rough and Ready, who fled precipitately on the approach of out advance.” ~100th Indiana Solider

“The Stop and go slogging pace meant idleness for portions of the army which in turn meant time for mischief. As out advances was slow and the night very damp, several deserted house along our route were burned.” ~Illinois solider XV Corps

“I remember one very pretty girl weeping with her family over the ruins of their stable, expressing a wish ‘that you’uns were millions of miles away.” ~Connecticut soldier in regards to the citizens of Decatur, Ga

“I saw 4 or 5 drunk men lying beside the road.” Iowa Solider XV Corps

“Destroy everything from which the enemy might derive sustenance.” ~Hood to Wheeler (Wheeler ignored this order mostly since he had no supply line. His men lived off the land as well.)

Day Two:

“The marching today was necessarily slow, owing to the bad character of the roads and bad condition of or animals.” General William Hazen
“We marched in a regular funeral style, slowly and having to halt every little while” ~Wisconsin Solider XV Corps

A 10 year old girl told a Michigan Solider “Mr. Solider, you would not burn our house would you, if you do where are we going to live? The Michigan man ultimately did not burn the structure as the little girl’s face was too much to bear.

“Sgt William Fultz of the 11th Iowa and his buddy, Jerry J. Miller, went hunting for cooking water. On their return trip they passed through the bivouac area for their division’s First Brigade, where they found everyone asleep and a cooking pot steaming with fresh sweet potatoes. ‘The temptation was too great for hungry boys that had been up all night assisting teams to move along the road. So reaching down we got hold of the camp kettle and carried it to the company and had sweet potatoes for suppers as well called the meal.”

“The boys went out and got plenty of sweet potatoes, beans, corn, and the like.” ~Ohio solider XV Corps

“Foragers got lots of hogs beef & potatoes & are beginning to live again.” Iowa soldier XV Corps

“A few soldiers of the 93rd Illinois rummaged through the post office, finding a “large Confederate mail but there was nothing of consequence in it, mostly love letters.” In McDonough, Ga

Day Three:

“Civilians faced tough decisions. If there was thought to be time enough, various valuables and foodstuffs were secreted with varying degrees of guile, but almost always with the complicity of family slaves. Others shipped what goods they could to places they believed would be safe.

“Foragers scattered out from the main column. An Illinoisan belonged to one such detail that came upon a “fine lot of Hogs of which we killed one dozen of,” he recollected. The meat was pile onto a wagon that was then driven to the main road.”

“Found plenty of fresh pork and all the sweet potatoes we could carry.” ~ Soldier 11th Iowa

“A plenty of chickens & potatoes.” ~ Soldier of the 4th Minnesota

“Just a short distance away from the main columns, death or capture awaited the unwary or unlucky. Rebel cutthroats are following us & watching our movements” ~ Iowa Soldier XV Corps

“A party from the 55th Illinois took a wrong turn found itself several miles from the main column when the sun set. The men camped for the night taking care to post a picket detail that reported to another group bivouacked nearby. A cautious investigation revealed the neighbors to be a troop of Confederate cavalry. The wary Federals laid low and watched the enemy ride off in the morning, and eventually rejoined their column.

“A couple of orderlies got drunk this evening and one shot and killed the other.” ~ Soldier 11th Iowa

“As the XV Corps drew close to Jackson its advance encountered a hodgepodge of convalescent Rebel soldiers and local boys out to make a noise. The Confederates first fired at the Yankees some three and a half miles out of town on the McDonough Road. Then, according to a resident, “They retreated beyond the creek and made a stand this side (the Jackson side) and fired on the enemy as they came into sight on the opposite hill and again retreated. They halted across the next creek and again exchanged shots with them and then ran into Jackson.” At this point the Rebels scattered.”

“Mary Buttrill wrote of an encounter with the Federals near Jackson “One of the Yankees pushed through the other to her side. “I have a mother and sister,” he said, “and I will protect you at the risk of my life.” Their self appointed guardian led them to a short distance to a two room cabin. Nearby Mary saw the two wagons her father had used in his effort to remove valuables to Macon, now captured, their contents strewn about. The obliging enemy broke open a trunk and invited the ladies to take what they wanted.”

Day Four:

Near Planter’s Factory on the Ocmulgee River “with the various columns halted for an indeterminate period, foragers had time to prowl. ‘We lived off of the fat of the land today. The Reg’t had more Fresh Pork, Sweet Potatoes &c than they could possibly use.” ~ Ohio solider XV Corps

Near Forsyth Ga, “Flushed out Several Rebel vidette posts as we went.” ~ Ohio soldier XVII Corps

“Citizens don’t like the Yanks. One Rebel Woman wishes South Carolina would sink for bringing on this war. Thinks we ought not to trouble Georiga because it was last to secede. We can’t see it.” ~ Illinois soldier XVII Corps

Still on the Ocmulgee River “Here many of our boys went out foraging, and some got sweet potatoes, others turnips. Others found whiskey and those were pretty well corned.” ~ An Ohio soldier XV Corps

“Back at the river, as various units were formed up and marched to the Planter’s Factory bridge, they encountered an unexpected wrinkle. Before reaching the pontoons, the columns passed through checkpoints manned by provost guards and quartermasters who confiscated all unauthorized foraged goods.”

Left Wing: “One party consisted of 43 three men from companies D & K of the 107th New York under Captain George Reid. Reid, whose top priority was “whiskey uppermost,” according to a member of the regiment, led his men several miles from the line of march. Even worse je allowed his command to fall beyond support distance of the rear guard. Reid and his detail did not return to camp that night. It wasn’t until several days later that a few lucky survivors showed up to report that the detail had been ambushed and captured to a man.

Day Five:

In regards to the weather: “A member of the 4th Minnesota observed that the men’s blankets are so wet and heavy that some of them could not be dried by fire and to be left, being too heavy to carry, and so the boys will have to suffer and get along as best they can.”

Also “We took the wrong road and so lost two hours.” ~ Pvt 4th Minnesota

Pssst Book bibliographys are your best friend.

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Bummers First Person Library

I wanted to bump this to the top to emphasize the importance of "staying in the moment" at the event. Many of you have done your research on the units you are portraying and many of you posted good information that was gathered in this thread. Please take a moment and read some of the first person accounts in this thread and by all means add to it to help us all get in the proper mindset. Only a week-and-a-half until the event!