The men and boys who served during the Civil War were heroes
and yet, they were ordinary people for their day. They came from farms and
cities. They were brick layers, farmers, stevedores, glass blowers and firemen.
And they were husbands, sons, lovers and brothers. A handful were women.
They saw horrors that this country hasn't seen in 136 years. American service
men wouldn't see anything to compare with Andersonville or Elmira for eighty-one
years. They would never again see a day as bloody as September 17, 1862. Over
six hundred thousand of them would die of gunfire, bayonet and the myriad
of diseases that ran rampant through camps on both sides and all theatres
of the great conflict.
Like most other units, the 12th United States Infantry suffered what would
be considered inordinate casualties today. When the regiment was formed in
May of 1861 at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, it numbered 1070 men and
officers. Three and a half years later, when the unit was withdrawn from combat,
there were 124. There had been several recruiting drives in the interim but
the numbers speak for themselves. In that the Regulars of the 12th were no
different from their Volunteer counterparts. The 12th is still serving with
the United States Army.
The men swore, drank, fought and they sang. I have tried to put songs representing
as many facets of the Civil War as possible. It is intended as first and foremost
a songbook. Secondly, it is a brief glimpse into the horror and majesty that
was the American Civil War.
This book is dedicated to the men and women of the 12th regiment of Infantry.
I would like to acknowledge my Pards in the re-enacting community, especially
in Company A, 12th US Infantry "Sykes' Regulars" and our Commanding
officer, Larry Allen, a good mentor and a true friend. I would also like to
thank the men and women affiliated with the 4th US Infantry, Company I including
Dave Childs, Brian Webster, Col. NJANG and Frank and Jennifer Pullano.
To the 25th Massachussets Volunteer Infantry, thanks for the nights around
the campfire. I'd also like to acknowledge Don, Martha and Stephanie Jeffery
of the 157th New York Volunteer Infantry and lastly but never leastly my wife
Peggy for puuting up with an old Infantry bummer like me.
Neil K. MacMillan
Syracuse, NY
January 10, 2001
MP3.com is a wonderful place and I have included links to some of the songs that Sgt. MacMillan has included in the Civil War Song Book. Just click on the title and go to the artist's page for the song. There, you can listen, download and even purchase the CD.
| The Battle Cry of Freedom | Weeping, Sad and Lonely | Santy Anno |
| Dixie's Land | The Minstrel Boy | Lincoln and Liberty |
| Rosin the Beau | Marching Through Georgia | Lorena |
| Soldier's Joy | Listen to the Mockingbird | The Siege of Vicksburg |
| Kemo Kimo | Johnny is Gone for a Soldier | Sweet Evalina |
| The Girl I Left Behind me | Tom Dooley | Kathleen Mavourneen |
| Just Before the Battle, Mother | Tenting Tonight | Goober Peas |
| Sweet Betsy From Pike | All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight | Beautiful Dreamer |
| Kingdom Coming | I'm a Good old Rebel | Roll Alabama, Roll |
| Jacob's Ladder | Cumberland Gap | Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (or The Prisoner's Hope) |
| Bard of Armagh | Hard Tack | |
Last Updated on 4/17/03
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