Origins: For Bales

Subject: Origins: For Bales: History?
From: radriano
Date: 23 Aug 04 - 11:42 AM

The song "For Bales" is in Digitrad. What was the victory gained by General Banks mentioned in the song?

Lyrics are:

FOR BALES

We all went down to New Orleans,
For Bales, for Bales;
We all went down to New Orleans,
For Bales, says I;
We all went down to New Orleans
To get a peep behind the scenes,
And we'll all drink stone blind,
Johnny fill up the bowl.

We thought when we got in the "ring,"
For Bales, for Bales;
We thought when we got in the "ring,"
For Bales, says I;
We thought when we got in the "ring,"
Greenbacks would be a dead sure thing,
And we'll all drink stone blind,
Johnny fill up the bowl.

The "ring" went up, with baggin and rope,
For Bales, for Bales;
Upon the "Black Hawk" with bagging and rope,
For Bales, says I;
Went up "Red River" with bagging and rope,
Expecting to make a pile of soap,"
And we'll all drink stone blind,
Johnny fill up the bowl.

But Taylor and Smith, with ragged ranks,
For Bales, for Bales;
But Taylor and Smith, with ragged ranks,
For Bales, says I;
But Taylor and Smith, with ragged ranks,
Burned up the cotton and whipped old banks,
And we'll all drink stone blind,
Johnny fill up the bowl.

Our "ring" came back and cursed and swore,
For Bales, for Bales;
Our "ring" came back and cursed and swore,
For Bales, says I;
Our "ring" came back and cursed and swore,
For we got no cotton at grand ecore,
And we'll all drink stone blind,
Johnny fill up the bowl.

Now let us all give praise and thanks,
For Bales, for Bales;
Now let us all give praise and thanks,
For Bales, says I:
Now let us all give praise and thanks,
For the victory Gained by General Banks,
And we'll all drink stone blind,
Johnny fill up the bowl.

note: an immediate precursor to When Johnny Comes Marching Home RG
@America @war @Civil
filename[ FORBALES

Subject: RE: Origins: For Bales: History?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Aug 04 - 02:01 PM

Site with reports from General Nathanial P. Banks about his operations in the Department of the Gulf, 1862-1864: Port Hudson Campaign, and Sabine Pass and Rio Grande Expedition, occupation of Galveston, etc.
www.civilwaralbum.com/porthudson/or_banks_general.htm
Port Hudson

Subject: RE: Origins: For Bales: History?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Aug 04 - 02:09 PM

Same site, see Port Hudson
The Confederates surrendered at Port Hudson Plains, 6233 prisoners captured, along with war materiel and two steamers.

Subject: RE: Origins: For Bales: History?
From: radriano
Date: 23 Aug 04 - 03:06 PM

Thank you, Q!