Didn’t Know The Tune

On election day in Newburg, Uncle Barzelius Burke, aged 75, a hero drummer in the war of 1812, was on hand with his old drum. An old man in the town, of copperhead persuasion, by the name of McGee, was talking loudly for Vallandigham, and in the course of his disloyal remarks, said “it would suit him just as well to have the South whip the North.” This was too much for the old patriot drummer of 1812. “McGee,” said he, “let me play you a tune,” and the old man rattled away with more than common power. McGee heard, and complimented him with – “That’s good.” Uncle B. indignantly reported – “You d----d old copperhead that is the Rogue’s March. Why don’t you march?” and the drum rolled out again when McGee did march away amid the shouts of the bystanders.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, November 12, 1863