The Battle Cry of Freedom

"The Battle Cry of Freedom", also known as "Rally 'Round the Flag", is a song written by American composer George Frederick Root in 1862 during the American Civil War. A patriotic song advocating the causes of Unionism and abolitionism, it became so popular that composer H. L. Schreiner and lyricist W. H. Barnes adapted it for the Confederate States. Numerous alternate versions and parodies were subsequently written to serve varying agendas, and the song is regarded as one of the iconic musical compositions of the war era.

"The Battle Cry of Freedom" in Southern Victory
As "The Battle Cry of Freedom" had been popular, in different versions, in both the United States and the Confederate States during the War of Secession. In June 1940, a Confederate military band in Richmond played the song while US President Al Smith arrived to meet CS President Jake Featherston for the Richmond Agreement.