I am preparing a talk in which I want to mention sounds heard today that had Civil War origins.  The two broad categories are slang/idioms (of which I am especially short) and music.  Below is a list of what I have so far, along with working notes in parenthesis.  Any additions, suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks very much, DRM

Idioms/slang

bite the bullet
sold down the river (antebellum in origin, but reminiscent of the era)
grapevine telegraph
deadline

Music

Taps
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Maryland My Maryland (official state song)
Yellow Rose of Texas (probably predates CW, but popular Confederate marching song)
Marching Through Georgia (maybe, but not often heard today)
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Tramp Tramp Tramp the Boys are Marching
Tenting Tonight
Lorena (not often heard today, but hugely popular in CW, and resulted in several generations of girls named Lorena, esp'y in South)
Whispering Hope (written shortly after war, perhaps became popular because it provided inspiration and hope out of devastation and despair in CW aftermath)

"Grapevine telegraph," like "sold down the river," is of ante bellum origins

Lot of misinformation out there.  Somewhere on the internet, I found that the term originated from telegraph wire hastily strung in trees in various CW theaters of ops.  It appeared like grapevines in the trees.  The story didn't even ring true when I read it.

The focus (still fuzzy) of my talk before a women's club will be the legacy of the CW today, in ways we don't even think about.  (I'm not looking at major issues, just trivia.)  I didn't find that much idiom or speech that had CW origin, but will bring in the music (although some of those old CW era songs I remember from my childhood seem to have pretty much disappeared in the last 40 years or so).  From there, I will bring in the ubiquitous CW statues and monuments seen in small towns across America, in parks, cemeteries, town squares, in front of public buildings.  From there, I will mention a local statue erected around 1890 by a forerunner of the present day women's club, and the history and mystery behind it.

I'm glad I touched base here first.  Thanks to all.

DRM

pictures of some of the monuments

Note to self:  I'll have to learn how to use my cell phone digital camera and get some pics of the CW statue...

My talk will be given to a women's club in VT, and I will conclude with a brief synopsis of the vital contribution made by Vermont troops to the success of the Union armies, familiar to all but worth reiterating.

There was, of course, Gettysburg and the big barn door swing by the 9 month regiments (Second Vermont Brigade) onto the field, flanking Pickett's division and preventing a disastrous break of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge.  Then an abrupt about face by the Vermonters to rout the troops of Cadmus Wilcox, attacking their rear.

Onto Cedar Creek, and the Vermont regiments that stood firm and prevented Early from driving Sheridan's army out of the Shenandoah.

Not to forget Monocacy, where against overwhelming odds the Vermonters held fast, saved Lew Wallace's bacon and prevented the Confederates from storming into Washington.

Which brings us to the glorious First Vermont Brigade under General Lewis A. Grant that led the way in the last year of the war, from the Rapidan to Richmond.  With of course a nod to supporting troops of the AoP, capably led by the other General Grant.

I could go on to discuss the First Vermont Cavalry, and their overwhelming mastery of Mosby and his irregulars, but I only have half an hour to speak.

DRM

>> ...sounds heard today that had Civil War origins.<<

David

I'm sure this is too late for your talk to the women's club, but would the term, Underground Railroad, be applicable here?

Wanda

>> I had to wing it, but it was an INTERESTING EVENING.  One old lady showed up with her ggrandfather's Union belt buckle, and a picture of her as a little girl, taken in the early 1930's with her ggrandfather.  It fit in perfectly with my theme, "The Civil War - Not So Long Ago".<<  aside: I noticed you posted my reply in Yankee blue, so I posted your's in Johnny Reb gray. <g>

Hi David,

Sounds like a lot of fun, would like to have been a fly on the wall, but not present in person since those stories were associated with the Northern troops.   Guess I qualify as one of those lil'ol'ladies since as a 3 or 4 yr old remember my g'grandfather&g'gmother telling stories about the Yankees burning their family's crops in North Carolina when they were about my age. They would have starved if the family had not migrated to Oklahoma Territory via Covered Wagons.

My first trip to D.C. about fifteen years ago, made me feel very uncomfortable with so many statues which were reminders of The war around town.  However, my last trip there was rather generic with all the new additions.  I felt it was my town, too.  

Btw...are all the members here primarily from the Northern States?

Wanda

Hi Anne,

>>I couldn't resist your question, even though you've addressed it to David M.  The forum has participants from all over the States (and beyond!).<<

Thank for your welcome, and your response to my question regarding member's whereabouts.  Quite an impressive ensemble!  Nice to have a little background when posting.  I'm from the Dallas area, in the north central section of Texas, born and bred.

There is not much interest, that I'm aware of, in this area regarding the Civil War, most if any, interest in past conflicts is centered in the Alamo at San Antonio, TX.  We native Texans are grilled in primary schools on the historical elements of Texas exclusively.  The Civil War is touched on briefly in the later grades.

I suppose my interest lies in the fact my g'grandparents had such vivid recollections of their childhood experiencing the war that I became interested at an early age.  [I hid under their dining table when everyone thought I was asleep, and listened to  family stories about life's events.]

Thanks for your post

Wanda

Hi Luke,

And thanks for the welcome.

 >>Texas is well represented on the various tours and has a number of active "round table"  groups. <<

Had no idea Texans were even interested in Civil War, could they be natives or Northern transplants?   I'll check on those links. And by being on several tours, do you mean there are battlegrounds in Texas?  I'm only aware of Texas battlefields related to Texas and Mexican war.

Thanks again, and how's the early snows in Colorado? 

Wanda

ps...I did check out the links and enjoyed reading them, including David's bio. Very interesting.   Checked the Dallas' CW link, and  would be at least a two hour drive one way to attend meetings.  Would not be so bad if the meetings were in the afternoon, but at night, too far. Oh well. Thanks anyway.

Luke,

Thanks for the links, I spent a few moments scanning through them, and bookmarked for later reference.  I didn't think Texas was very active in the CW since I never hear any reference to it.  As I was reading the Palmetto incident, couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the Union troops that were sleepless and their dinner was stopped by CS troops invasion.

Several years ago, I took a tour of the Eastern Region, and Gettysburg was one of the stops.  That was rather heart wrenching as the guide orally re enacted the battle as we approached each area of the battle. We even got out of the bus, and hid behind rocks as troops from both sides advanced.

I was impressed by the monuments erected around the field, the tour guide mentioned Texas had the smallest since Texas ALWAYS had the biggest of everything.  My comment was that a  simple and small native pink granite stone was very dignified, and in keeping with the reverence of the battle and the Texans who lost their life on that sacred ground.               He had no comment.

As for so many Texans living (part time) in Colorado, it seems that's all I saw the week I visited with friends in a small town south of Denver in '89.  In fact, one of my first cousins lives in Denver, and has another house in the mountains.

Wanda

Greetings Wanda,

Welcome to the Forum. I am the Quizmaster for the Trivia Section, and invite you to play. Particularly since the next question will be about an adopted son of Texas.