Hold the Fort
| Composer | Bliss, P.P. |
| Lyricist | Bliss, P.P. |
| Year Published | |
| Type | Patriotic |
| Comments | In the 1880 edition of this song, the incident upon which it is based was
recorded by a Major Whittle. During October, 1864, a strategic position at Altoona Pass
was being held by General Corse of Illinois. The Union Garrison was outnumbered and
surrounded, and the Confederate General French summoned the Yankees to surrender. When
Corse refused, fierce fighting ensued, and he was forced to the crest of the hill. The
situation seemed hopeless, until a Union officer caught sight of a signal flag across the
valley atop Kenesaw Mountain. The signal was answered, and soon the message was waved from
mountain to mountain "Hold the fort I am coming W.T. Sherman." Cheers went up
and, under murderous fire, the position was held. Within three hours, Sherman's advanced
guard had forced the Confederates to retreat. Singing Soldiers p. 214. |