Wisconsin regimental band at Sherman's HQ

EDWIN O. KIMBERLEY WHO CHEERED ARMIES WITH HIS SINGING
Article Date: June 19 1924
Newspaper: Janesville Gazette
City: Janesville
County: Rock

Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Local History & Biography Articles http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba/articleView.asp?pg=3&id=1727&hdl=&np=&adv=yes&ln=&fn=&q=&y1=&y2=&ci=Janesville&co=&mhd=&shd=

known as "Wisconsin's soldier singer"

sang "Sherman's March to the Sea" at Sherman's HQ in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1865

"... This song, which fittingly describes the strategic march which broke the heart of the Confederacy, was written by Lieuts. Byers and Rockwell while in prison at Columbia, S.C., just before Sherman's army made triumphal capture of that city.

"It was on Feb. 17, 1865, that Sherman's army entered the caital of the first secession state of the Confederacy and soon afterward the two lieutenants were set free with other solodiers. They joined in the jubilation of thier victorius comrades and went to General Sherman's headquarters and presented him with the manuscript of the song. Three nights later, Kimberly received the music manuscripts from an orderly who came from Sherman with an order for him to come to headquarters and sing the song. It was just about the time for retiremen and this, together with the fact that there was aheavy rainfall, resulted in a postponement of the general's wish.

"Not until two weeks later, when the army was camped at Goldsboro, N.C., did Kimberly have an opportunity to carry out the general's wishes. Then he appeared at headquarters and with his band serenaded General Sherman, who was very fond of music.

"In his high tenor voice, Kimberly, then but 20 years old, sang the song for the first time and General Sherman was so delighted that Kimberly responded to the encore by repeating it. It remkained a favorite with General Sherman and a million others."

Onew of the first volunteers from Wisconsin. w/ 2nd Wisconsin Volunteers when band instruments abandoned when retreating from Stonewall Jackson in 1862.

After regimental bands discharged, he returned to Wisconsin and raised another band - was leader of the band of the 1st Brigade, 3d Division, XV Corps under Gen. John Logan. "They were given much credit for keeping up the spirit of Sherman's army on the march to the sea." Left the band after the Grand Review in May 1865.