Livre Rare Book
(BROADSIDE BALLAD -- CIVIL WAR)Biblio.com
Welcome Our Gallant 69th
40506New York: H. De Marsan n.y. Broadside. 6¼" X 10". Very good. Numerous edge chips along right side and bit on lower edge only slightly encroaching on decorative border. This crudely printed broadside ballad undated but circa 1861 includes a thick decorative patriotic border featuring red and blue stars and stripes olive-branch clutching American Eagle etc. with publisher's data "H. De Marsan Publisher / 54 Chatham St. / N.Y." at bottom center of border. Sung to the tune of "Marshal Ney" a popular tune celebrating the Napoleonic figure this Civil War tune celebrates the 69th New York Infantry Regiment the "Fighting Irish" or "Fighting Sixty-Ninth." Two stanzas and one chorus are featured the chorus reading: "Right and left -- left and right: / We fought the Rebels with all our might; / Brave CORCORAN did wounded fall / And HAGGERTY died by a Traitor's ball." Irish-born Michael Corcoran 1827-63 led the 69th at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861 in which he was taken prisoner and Irish-born Captain James Haggerty the first member of the 69th to die was reportedly killed by a Louisiana Zouave which also included many Irishmen. These "penny ballads" were all the rage during much of the 19th century and were invariably printed on thin delicate stock and sold by street vendors. A quite attractive example of this rare survivor. Inkstamped on verso is "Geo. F. Hambrecht" -- a well-known Civil War collector and noted Lincoln scholar 1871-1943 who founded the Lincoln Fellowship of Wisconsin and served as director of the Wisconsin State Board of Vocational Education. H. De Marsan unknown
