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THE BATTLE OF ELKHORN TAVERN My name ls Daniel Martin, I'se borned in Arkansas; I fled from those base rebels Who fear not God or law. I left my aged father And my beloved wife; I'se forced to go to Rollie* For to try to save my life. I jined in Phillips's regiment- I'm not ashamed to tell- My colonel and my officer They treated me mighty well. I served four months at Rollie Through sleet, snow, and ice, And next received my orders: Go meet old Sterling Price. That old secession traitor He didn't like the fun; He gathered up his rebel band, To Arkansas he run. We were close pursuing them By night and by day, And a many of those base rebels We killed upon the way. We followed through to Pea Ridge, Bnd there we stopped our chase; But that poor frightened rebel band Rolled on in mighty haste. They joined old Ben McCullough, Old Mackintosh and Rain, And they mustered eighty thousand, And here they come again. They marched through pomp and splendor Led on by brave Van Dorn, And there they found us waiting At a tavern called Elkhorn. They threw themselves around us In the dark shade of night And planted out their batteries And waited till daylight. We opened up our batteries, Which made the mountain roar, And on the ground in many a place Was red with human gore; We shot old Ben McCullough, Old Slack** and Mackintush, And shot old Sterling in the arm And sent him in a rush. Reckon what secesh will think When we tell 'em of our rhyme About old Sterling Price He's a-gettin on quick time. Segal's after him In a mighty purty gait; He wants to whip the old secesh And drive him from our State. *Rolla, MO was a Federal military post. **Brigadier-General William Yarnel Slack note: the engagement was also known as the Battle of Pea Ridge; There's a different song with that title. RG From Ballads and Songs, Belden Collected from Ethel Doxey of Carroll County, Arkansas. DT #685 Laws A12 @battle @American @war @Civil filename[ ELKHORNT TUNE FILE: ELKHORNT CLICK TO PLAY RG oct96 |
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