Most Respectfully dedicated to the
Chicago Board of Trade
"The Plains of Tennessee" (c1863; filed 11 Jan 1864)
[Copyright Library 5 Aug 1865; 28519; No. 1143; M1640.T]
Song & Chorus.
Words by Sargeant T. Holingsworth,
Second Battalion, Pioneer Brigade.
("On Picket Guard, at Stone River")
Music by Thomas Martin Towne, 1835-1912
of the Continental Vocalists.

Chicago: H. M. HIGGINS, 117 Randolph St.
[Source: 200002095@LoC/IHAS-CWM]

1.
'Tis midnight and the twinkling stars
  Shine brightly from on high,
And not a cloud is shadowing now
  The warlike Southern sky.
I am stationed in a cedar grove,
  The picket post to stand,
And listening for the stealthy tread
  Of traitors close at hand.

CHORUS [sung after each verse]
How many thousands gone to rest,
  We know that they are free,
Their bodies mouldering in the dust,
  On the plains of Tennessee.

2.
I see their burning camp fires now
  Upon the distant hill,
And hear the screech-owl's dismal cry,
  And feel more lonely still.
I hear the groans of wounded men,
  That still lie on the field,
And many more my eyes can see
  With lips forever sealed.

3.
And this! far through this dismal night
  These mournful sounds arise,
And many a patriot finds a grave
  Beneath the Southern sky.
The light of day doth now appear,
  All beautiful and bright,
I see the movements of our troops,
  'Tis to renew the fight.

4.
Our picket line is now engaged
  With the rebel skirmishers,
And now the order comes to us,
  Fall back on your reserve.
Oh! yonder comes the rebel line,
  They're marching on our flank,
Stand fast, brave boys, our Gen'ral cries,
  We'll soon thin out their ranks.

5.
Our battery stationed on the right,--
  The Chicago Board of Trade,
Now opens fire on their ranks,
  And with them havoc made.
And now the battle rages on,
  In all its horrid might,
And soon the traitors see they can
  No farther turn our right.

6.
'Tis mid-day and the sun beams forth,
  On this bright New Year's day,
And thousands find a soldier's grave,
  In Tennessee's cold clay.
Upon our center lines they come,
  They think to make them break,
But there! the traitors find that they
  Have made a sad mistake.

7.
Again, they dreaded hour comes on,
  The cold ground is our bed,
Another sleepless night have we
  To spend among the dead.
And now I think of happy home,
  Of friends so dear to me,
And wonder if 'twill be my doom,
  To die in Tennessee.

8.
Again, the light of day appears,
  The clouds obscure the sky,
A drenching rain is pouring down
  Upon us from on high.
But still the battle is renewed,
  The bloody strife goes on,
The rebels swear we shall not
  Enter Murfreesburo town.

9.
The battle rages fiercely now
  Along Stone River's shore,
And hundreds of the traitors there
  Fall, to rise no more.
Now, the traitors see they can
  No longer hold their ground,
And in dismay, confusion flee,
  From Murfreesburo town.

10.
Our glorious flag's now floating
  Above the Court House tower,
A warning to all traitors,
  Who seek that flag to lower.
Oh God! forbid such men to live
  In honor, wealth and fame,
To spill the blood of honest hearts,
  To win themselves a name.