Reunion at Stephenson's Spring
Years had passed since Captain Hugh Stephenson’s company of one hundred volunteers had met at a barbecue near Shepherdstown. On that day they had pledged to meet again at the spring when fifty years had rolled away. Only two aging brothers met at the rendezvous midway between “Bedford” and the home of their nephew Daniel Morgan. Three others had survived but were too feeble to attend the reunion. Each arrived on horseback, one, Henry Bedinger, aged seventy-one, from Martinsburg in nearby Berkeley County, the other, George Michael Bedinger, aged sixty-nine, from Nicholas County, Kentucky. The two old brothers embraced and looked into each other’s eyes for the last time.
The reunion was commemorated by a detachment of artillery marching with colors unfurled to the cadence of fife and drum. While George Michael greeted his comrade’s descendants, a detachment of artillery on a nearby height fired a salute. Songs were sung, toasts were drunk and the band concluded with “Auld Lang Syne”.[i]
We have, printed below, a patriotic song written by Henry Bedinger which would have been most appropriately sung at this celebration[ii]:
The reunion was commemorated by a detachment of artillery marching with colors unfurled to the cadence of fife and drum. While George Michael greeted his comrade’s descendants, a detachment of artillery on a nearby height fired a salute. Songs were sung, toasts were drunk and the band concluded with “Auld Lang Syne”.[i]
We have, printed below, a patriotic song written by Henry Bedinger which would have been most appropriately sung at this celebration[ii]:
Hail America hail, unrivalled in fame
Thy foes in confusion, turn pale at thy Name
On the rock rooted Virtues, firmly seated sublime
Beneath the break harmless, the billows of time
For the striped flagg shall wave, Still we Glory Pursue
And freedom-find harmless, ever a Guardian in you
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza my brave Americans,
whom freedom Secures
For the high C[ ] of Crest blazing Glory is yours
Let Spain boast the treasure, that glows in her mines
And Gallia rejoice in her Olives and Vines
In bright sparkling Jewells let India prevail
And her [ ] ours to Charm you, diffuse in each gale
“Tis America alone, that is blest with the Soil
Where the fair fruits of Virtues, and Liberty Smile
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza my Brave American,
whom freedom secures
For a Washington, Franklin & Hancock are yours
Our bosoms in raptures, beat high at thy Name,
Why health is our transport, thy triumph’s our fame
Like our Sires with our Swords, will support thy renown
What they bought with their flood, we’ll preserve with our Own
Smile ye Guardians of freedom, and ye brave Sons implore
That America ay flourish till time is no more
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza my brave Americans,
whom freedom secures
For Adams, and Randolph, and Pinkney are yours
Whilst the Sword of Oppression, unscathed remains
The blood of our Heroes, Still Crimson the plains
See Weeping America, exhort ev’ry Son
That their hearts and their Glory, may alway be one
‘Tis the Charter of freedom attend to the Call
United we Flourish, divided we fall.
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, my brave Americans,
whom freedom Secures
For a Green, and a Morgan, & Howard are yours
The Muses to thee, Sure glad tribute shall pay
With freedom they flourish, with freedom decay
And their hearts faintly Murmur or Silently Stand
Whilst the Sword of oppression suspends o’r the land
Can the Eagle soar high, Can she dart like the wind
If her files are oppressed and her pinions Confined
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, my brave Americans,
whom freedom secures
For a Lincoln, a Gates, and a Morgan, are yours.
With sweetness and beauty thy daughters surprise
With rose blooming Cheeks and love languishing Eyes
Haste ye graces cried Venus, to America repair,
Fit consorts to heroes, the first of the fair
For to whom should the blessings of freedom descend
But the Sons of those Sires, whom their freedom defend
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, my brave Americans,
whom freedom Secures
For a Putnam, a Sterling and a Marion are yours
Finis
Thy foes in confusion, turn pale at thy Name
On the rock rooted Virtues, firmly seated sublime
Beneath the break harmless, the billows of time
For the striped flagg shall wave, Still we Glory Pursue
And freedom-find harmless, ever a Guardian in you
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza my brave Americans,
whom freedom Secures
For the high C[ ] of Crest blazing Glory is yours
Let Spain boast the treasure, that glows in her mines
And Gallia rejoice in her Olives and Vines
In bright sparkling Jewells let India prevail
And her [ ] ours to Charm you, diffuse in each gale
“Tis America alone, that is blest with the Soil
Where the fair fruits of Virtues, and Liberty Smile
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza my Brave American,
whom freedom secures
For a Washington, Franklin & Hancock are yours
Our bosoms in raptures, beat high at thy Name,
Why health is our transport, thy triumph’s our fame
Like our Sires with our Swords, will support thy renown
What they bought with their flood, we’ll preserve with our Own
Smile ye Guardians of freedom, and ye brave Sons implore
That America ay flourish till time is no more
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza my brave Americans,
whom freedom secures
For Adams, and Randolph, and Pinkney are yours
Whilst the Sword of Oppression, unscathed remains
The blood of our Heroes, Still Crimson the plains
See Weeping America, exhort ev’ry Son
That their hearts and their Glory, may alway be one
‘Tis the Charter of freedom attend to the Call
United we Flourish, divided we fall.
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, my brave Americans,
whom freedom Secures
For a Green, and a Morgan, & Howard are yours
The Muses to thee, Sure glad tribute shall pay
With freedom they flourish, with freedom decay
And their hearts faintly Murmur or Silently Stand
Whilst the Sword of oppression suspends o’r the land
Can the Eagle soar high, Can she dart like the wind
If her files are oppressed and her pinions Confined
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, my brave Americans,
whom freedom secures
For a Lincoln, a Gates, and a Morgan, are yours.
With sweetness and beauty thy daughters surprise
With rose blooming Cheeks and love languishing Eyes
Haste ye graces cried Venus, to America repair,
Fit consorts to heroes, the first of the fair
For to whom should the blessings of freedom descend
But the Sons of those Sires, whom their freedom defend
Huzza, Huzza, Huzza, my brave Americans,
whom freedom Secures
For a Putnam, a Sterling and a Marion are yours
Finis
[i] An account of the barbecue appeared in the Harper’s Ferry Free Press and is recounted by Levin, Alexandra Lee, 1995, For A Brave America the Bedinger Brothers in War and Peace, 1775-1843, Shamrock Hollow, John Day, Oregon, 215 p., pp. 164-165 and Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger, A Kentucky Pioneer: The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, 232 p., pp. 188-193.
[ii] From correspondence and memorabilia of Henry Bedinger in the care of Reid Wilburn.
[ii] From correspondence and memorabilia of Henry Bedinger in the care of Reid Wilburn.
Brothers of the Revolution
The End
The End