85 YEAR OLD Civil War Veteran Lauren Higbie Recorded On Early 78rpm Record (Absolutely Captivating!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2009
- Each time I listen to this record I am totally captivated. It is one of the few records in my collection that captures my full attention as I listen with sincere respect. This is a rare recording entitled "Veteran's Last Song" on the circa 1927 Electra label featuring 85 year old Lauren Higbie as he sings a very memorable and breathtaking tribute to his fallen Civil War comrades and his life as a Civil War veteran. I guess you can tell that I am deeply moved by this recording and I hope that you are as well. I found this record many years ago while walking around a flea market and since that day have considered it one of the real treasures of my record collection. I intentionally selected one of my Victor III phonographs to play this record (as opposed to one of my Credenzas) since it sounds best on this. Thanks so much for stopping in and, if you would, please feel free to take a moment to share your comments about this recording. I would really enjoy hearing from you.
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It's very hard for me to get my mind around the fact that I'm hearing the voice of a man who was born a few months shy of the U.S.A.'s 66th birthday, and lived long enough to see airplanes, radio, and recorded sound.
Hey man, check out this interview with Julius Howell. In 1947 he was 101 years old. This blew me away - th-cam.com/video/uHDfC-z9YaE/w-d-xo.html
And automobile
I'm British with little connection to the American civil war, but the lyrics, the voice and the knowledge of what Mr Higbie went through earned my full respect and brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for preserving this history.
WOW! " we were boys when we enlisted and our wrinkled brows were clear". That line
kind of choked me up. Thank you for uploading.
Protect this record ... its a priceless treasure.
This truly is remarkable... A voice from a man who fought in the great Civil War, thank you so much for sharing this
It's truly like stepping back in time
Guy sure sounds like he's been through a lot, that's for sure.
that's for sure
no doubt about that. after the war there was probably nothing he'd rather be doing.
westerners today really must count their blessings while they last.
Audile Creations I sure am, especially in today's political climate.
If you live long enough, that's how it always works out.
Amazing to be able to hear the voice of someone who lived through that period! Did a little research and learn that Lauren lived from 1842-1930, and his daughter Mabel who is singing with him 1879-1942.
This is more than a recording. This is a great historical treasure. Thank you for sharing this important piece.
I saw action in Afghanistan and can't even fathom how it must have been for those civil war vets. So much of the song still holds true across generations of veterans. Thank you for digitizing this and helping preserve it for future posterity.
I don't have a chance to thank Mr. Higbie, but I wont lose my chance to thank you for your service sir. God bless.
Thank you for serving America..God be with you and your family.
This is a great song!
The lyrics as I heard them:
I am standing on the summit of a century of years
That has measured the life of our nation
And I see, way down the mountain, a flood of blood and tears
That was shed for our country's salvation
And I see a mighty legion who, for our nation's life,
Would forfeit young manhood's fresh glory
And I see a mighty legion that perished in the strife
Now sleeping in garments stiff and gory
And we're going soon to meet them in the bivouac of the soul
As the shadows around us give warning
And I want to see my comrades when the angels call the roll
All are ready for inspection in the morning
We were boys when we enlisted
And these wrinkled brows were fair
And our eyes were not dimmed in their vision
And the frost that never melts had not fallen on our hair
And our step had not lost its precision
But the years have built their terraces on every comrade's brow
And age makes our weary limbs quiver
And the frost is falling thick
As we run the double quick
To the camp that is over the river
And we're going soon to meet them in the Bivouac of the soul
As the shadows around us give warning
I want to see my comrades when the angels call the roll
All are ready for inspection in the moning
Thanks for taking the time to type out the lyrics. Great words.
Justin Bester thanks man, really awesome of you. preciate ya!
Man,those words are heartrending.Not a song I have heard before.Made me think of my late father who served in the Second WW.God bless all of them who fell,Yanks n Rebels too.I am a Southerner but honor them all.
“And I sabered down the mountain”
Wow, those words sunk into my heart. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome. I was stunned when I heard this the first time as well. I can't imagine that many songs would stimulate the emotions 80 plus years hence as this one does. The Civil War was a very uniquely emotional conflict and the soldiers that fought in it will always warrant a humbling and honorable reverence. Thank you for the comments.
God bless you Lauren Higbie.I am sure that you and your comrades are together again. :)
Thanks for your gracious comments. I agree with you that rare recordings such as this should be preserved. I have played this example only a handful of times and keep it very secure in a temperature controlled environment. The horn is an original Victor Talking Machine horn made of oak. You are very welcome anytime and thanks again for stopping in.
great song so beautiful, sad, and powerful makes me cry when i hear it
I've listened to this probably 100 times throughout the past 7 years, and every time it's lust as powerful.
Wow, I never in a million years would have though I would be listening to a man, who fought in the civil war. I am most grateful that you posted this.
This was recorded the year after his wife died.
He sang and recorded just in time for he knew it was just about over for him.
It must have been amazing to have been born in the 1840's and to have lived to see the automobile, airplane, telephone, phonograph, electricity and plumbing in homes, etc.
All I can say is WOW!!! That old fellow could sing. If he had made a record of songs, I would have bought them.
A view into history and its pathos. From a young man primed for battle, to an old man reflective of his life. A message for us all.
Thanks very much for sharing. My great grandfather was also a survivor of the civil war. I am looking forward to meeting him when my time comes.
Thank you! :-)
I have a photo of my 8-year old daddy in the Polish scout uniform shaking hand to the veteran of the Polish January Uprising 1863 against Russia.
When I listen to your record I think about those youths fighting at the same time for their freedom, just 150 years ago... ;-)
I bet he couldn't fathom someone listening to his voice in 2020, the power of voice recording is incredible.
Captivating indeed! This is what I call a REAL collectors' item. Congratulations on owning & thanks for sharing.
May you rest in Peace and maybe we can learn from this how horrible war is
Horrible, but necessary sometimes...
It should never be necessary. War is a tool used by those in power to get what they can’t get through reasoning. However, sometimes people can’t be reasoned with and only wish to destroy. In those cases, we must crush them with greater force.
This brought tears to my eyes, thinking of the gent who was singing and what he had endured.
.Wow, this is great! I'm from the Netherlands and have great interest in the history of the U.S. .. This record is a historical gem. But the voice of mr.Higbie to hear you sing, a veteran is totally awesome. In his voice you can hear the pride but also the sadness of a soldier. In what century we live in a war there are no winners only losers especially under the ordinary soldier. Just be careful with this record.
Just Curious As To What The Reason Is For The Sadness?
What a lovely old recording that is. Thank you to Justin Bester for the words. I am an Australian, so the Civil War had nothing to do with us, but it is a painful piece of history and here was a man who was a part of it. There are so many stories from that awful time. Thank you MuicBoxBoy for allowing us to hear this "old timer." He is long dead, "but liveth." It is easy to see why you "consider it one of the real treasures of my record collection."
This is so emotive and inspiring. I hope if I reach 85 I will sing so well. You have performed a service by preserving so much that was good of our past. When I was a child I knew a priest who was 97 and remembered Ireland during the hard times of the Great Famine in the mid 19th century. He told me about another friend of his who had been born in the late 18th century called John McHale who became the Bishop of Tuam and was a leader in the struggle against English absentee landlords.
Wonderful. Going this week to Gettysburg with son's class trip. Goes to show the internet can be more than cable tv .
This Man could really sing. I bet in his young years, others would ask him to sing. What a haunting song, about this Man's war years, and how many of his fellow soldiers were killed or now were old like him.
North or South, this is amazing. This man deserves a purple heart only if he was still alive. :(
The lol guy Thanx, seems I had kin on both sides. That was a horrible mess--you didn't know if you just blew the shoulder off your cousin.
still though it is deadlier then WW1 and WW2 there is probably more missing in the war more missing civil war soldiers in united states history
Mr. Higbie was a Union soldier.
Great comments! Thank you for sharing that great story. By 1924 any surviving Civil War veterans would still have a lot of memories of the war. It's a shame that there weren't more recordings of these people and their memories before they passed.
My pleasure. It's very gratifying to hear from people like you who take the time to post such encouraging and gracious comments. One of these days I would like to post the other side of this record which is by the same Civil War veteran. Thank you for stopping in for a visit.
Hi, I know this is a late comment but do you still have that cylinder? If you do, are you going to post the other side of that? This is definitely a great historical treasure and I think it should be preserved for all people to hear
Also interested in hearing the other side, please
I listened to this piece at least ten times this evening.
Me too. I can't stop listening to this man sing. May he rest in peace.
He sounds like he's gonna cry
And the song adds emotion with his voice
Just.... just.... wow. It took me to tears.
Thank you so very much for this; it is so moving and special, hearing such words sung by someone who's own life is recounted in the lyrics.
You are very welcome, goldenlady1983! I have always been deeply moved by this recording as well. Thanks for stopping in and please come back again soon.
Written by Reverend John H. Lozier
First National Chaplain, Grand Army of the Republic
Published by Lozier Bros., Mt. Vernon, Iowa (1890)
last verse not on this recording
I am standing on the summit
Of a century of years
That hath measured the life of our nation,
And I see on down the mountain
A flood of blood and tears
That was shed for our country's salvation.
And I see a mighty legion, who for the nation's life
went forth in young manhood's fresh glory,
And I see a mighty legion who perished in the strife
Now sleeping in garments stiff and gory.
And we’re going soon to meet them in that bivouac of the soul,
As the shadows around us give warning,
And I want to see my comrades when the angels call the roll,
All are ready for inspection in the morning.
We were boys when we enlisted, and these wrinkled brows where fair,
And our eyes where undimmed in their vision,
And the frost that never melts had not gathered on our hair,
And our step had not lost its precision.
But the years have built their terraces on every comrades brow,
And age makes our weary limbs quiver,
And the frosts are falling thick and we’re on the double quick
to the camp that is over the river.
And we’re going soon to meet them in that bivouac of the soul
As the shadows around us give warning,
And I want to see my comrades when the angels call the roll,
All are ready for inspection in the morning.
But though the Veterans vanish their children still remain,
The deeds of their Fathers to cherish.
And the cause for which we battled our children will maintain,
And the foes of our banner shall perish.
For we battled not in vain if still that banner waves,
Through ages our nation adorning.
And loyal hands shall plant it with the flowers on our graves,
Till the great reveille in the morning.
And we’re going soon to meet them in that bivouac of the soul
As the shadows around us give warning,
And I want to see my comrades when the angels call the roll,
All are ready for inspection in the morning.
Wow. I've got goosebumps after listening to that. Thanks for posting.
Ever since I first heard this recording, it is always the song I think of the most everytime I read about the Civil War. It is so poignant...and the melody encapsulates that time period so well. Thanks for posting, and thank you Lauren Higbie for recording this. What a moving tribute by an old civil war soldier staring back over "the summit of a century of years"!
Awesome to be able to hear a voice who fought in this horrible war
What a beautiful recording. I will be sharing with my friends.
I would honestly listen to this record for as long as I could. It is captivating, perpetrating, astonishing and beautiful. If you have the opportunity of making this in a digital MP3, you'd make me a happy man. But whatever the case, thank you for sharing, eventhough I'm 4 years late.
I remember watching a video, showing civil war veterans that had gathered at, I think, the 75th anniversary of the war. There was one old fellow there in full uniform, demonstrating with his old musket, the manual of arms. He was doing okay, but then he faltered, having that look of " Oh shit, I can't remember what comes next," and this other veteran there throws down his cane and grabs that musket from the first guy as if to say , " Gwadammit, lemme show ya how it's done!" to which he shakily but hurriedly "shows how it's done". I thought that was such a brilliant piece of footage, knowing how it must've been, myself being a civil war reenactor at the time I saw this video and trying to learn the manual of arms. It was fantastic, to say in the least.
We have such an amazing Story to teach our Children!
My great-great-great grandfather fought nearly the entire conflict in the Union 86th Indiana, and I have been deeply interested in CW matters for years. Hearing this makes me think that the singer was a contemporary of my grandfather, and through his voice I can actually *hear* that generation.
Excellent song, thanks so much for sharing.
As a descendant of many soldiers who fought in that war and others, I would like to extend my gratitude for sharing this wonderful recording. THANK YOU!!
Thank you for sharing this important piece of history. His voice, as well as the lyrics, are haunting and touching. I enjoy listening to old records and hope to one day start a collection like you.
crazy that moment where it sounds like a needle loudly scraping against a rough metal plate and then suddenly words and music start coming out
thats not metal xd.
Amazing!!! My middle school music class will be hearing this one in the fall. Thanks for posting!!!
Wow! This was so beautiful! Hauntingly so.
There are no words to describe how touching this is. And I imagine Mabel is his wife singing with him?
+Florence Marcisak Mabel was actually one of his daughters. His wife, Luella Teresa (Williamson) Higbie, passed away in 1926. Mr. Higbie passed away in 1930.
Chas Don are his daughters still alive?does he have grandchildren?I do living history Civil War n this brings it sooo close.
There aren't alive anymore. But yes, there are wifes and childrens of civil war veterans still alive.
@atheodora lastname last known daughter getting a survivor's check just died recently, due to complications from surgery.
@atheodora lastname Do a search on youtube for "Children of U.S. Civil War Vets." The first hit will be for a clip from National Geographic uploaded in 2014 that has interviews with them about their fathers. It does seem unbelievable that there could be living children of Civil War veterans (at least in 2014), but that was indeed the case! All of them were children of veterans who married or remarried when they were quite old, and had children in the 1920s or so.
Sort of related to that but equally mind-boggling...one of president John Tyler's (born in 1790, president 1841-1845) grandchildren just passed away on October 6th, 2020 and another is still living. Their father, the son of that president, was born in 1853.
Thank you for keeping this treasure alive. It's a piece of history we would probably never have heard otherwise!
You are very welcome. When I found this record years ago and first listened to it I was hoping that someday I would be able to share it with those who, like me, would have a sincere appreciation for it. I thank you for your encouraging comments.
im crying right now. I don't know why. Thank you for uploading this. Sometimes I Feel like I was born in the wrong era and I belong with those men. This is a beautiful video. Thank you.
Bless your heart Mr Higbie. Salute! USN(RET)
Absolutely incredible. What an historic treasured Recording to have in your collection. Thank you so much for sharing.
Amazing. Absolutely Amazing.
Here is an old article written about Lauren Higbie roughly 15 years before he recorded this.
"Strange Case of Lost Memory-Story of Laurentine Higbe, Formely of Schuyler Lake.
Doubtless there are many readers, says a correspondent of the Utica Press, who will remember Laurentine Higbie, who, as a young man, lived in Schuyler Lake village. The story of his strange disappearance and subsequent discovery will be of interest. Mr. Higbie is in the land of the living and occupies a happy home in prosperous circumstances.
Laurentine Higbie was the son of John Milton and Anna Maria Nash Higbie, and grandson of "Father Nash", a noted missionary in the pioneer days of this country. He was born in a house near the southern boundary of Exeter, March 30, 1842. There he grew to man's estate. His mother died when he was five years old. Mr. Higvie was possessed of a sociable nature, free hearted and open handed to a fault. His temperament was artistic and he was a fine singer, knew all the popular songs of the day and was never loath to entertain the company in which he was a member. In 1863, when 21 years old, he enlisted in the First New York Light artillery and at the first was in camp in Elmira. Later he joined his battery and remained with it until mustered out the latter part of June 1865.
Following the close of the war Mr. Higbie went to Kansas, where he bought 80 acres of land, sold 40 of them and abandoned the remainder and went to Illinois. He was of a roving disposition and frequently a considerable length of time elapsed between his letters home. Shortly before leaving home he studied landscape painting with Mrs. Ida Sutherland, who is now a blind and aged woman, still living near her childhood home on Angell Hill.
February 16, 1874, after a long silence, a letter was received from Mr. Higbie, postmarked Chicago. In the letter he expressed anxiety to hear from home, but, although several of his friends replied at once, nothing more was heard from him. His father and other members of his family felt great uneasiness for his safety and every clue to his whereabouts was eagerly investigated. Years passed and the missing one was not located and hope died out of the hearts of his relatives are now dead, only one brother is left and one half-brother who lives in Idaho.
About three years ago a pension examiner investigated the claim of one Lauren F. Higvie of Wilmington, Ill., to a pension. It seems that the application had been made about six years previous, but as the army roll contained no such name, the only way to obtain a pension was for the man to identify himself as Laurentine Higbie, whose name did appear on the roll. A correspondence was begun between the authorities, the man and Mrs. Higvie, with members of the Higbie family here. At the time when Mr. Higbie's regiment held its reunion in Utica, last August Mrs. Higby and her daughter went to that city. The daughter's husband, Judge Marshall, who was greatly interested in the case, had compiled a leaflet, comparing the similarity of the two names, autographs and other marks of Laurentine Higby's identity.
These leaflets were distributed among the members of his old regiment. The man himself had lost track of his early life, and he himself was of little help in establishing his identity. He had forgotten his father's name and the scenes of his childhood and young manhood. His brothers he could not remember at all. The wife and daughter came to Exeter from Utica and visited among relatives of Mr. Higbie. Follwoing their stay practically all doubt regarding him was dispelled and it is considered certain that Lauren F. Higby of Wilmington, Ill., and Laurentine Higbie are one and the same person.
Since his setting at Wilmington he has followed the business of house painter, and his three sons work with him at the trade. His wife and two daughters setting to music the verses her mother composed. All the family are musical, the father still being an excellent singer and deeply interested in singing the old songs of long ago. He has occasionally painted a landscape by way of diversion, and these personal characteristics had much to do with the settling of his identity.
A short time ago his brother, Delevan, who lives at the old homestead, and William Rose of Schuyler Lake, went to Wilmington for the purpose of identifying Mr. Higbie. While there they met an old comrade, James Evans who is an eminent physician in Iowa. Dr. Evan's theory of the strange state of mind in which Mr. Higbie has lived for years, is that he has been "leaded" a condition caused by the constant use of paint and which the doctor says sometimes effects the memory. A sad incident of the trip of Mr. Higbie and Mr. Rose was in the fact that Judge Marshall, son-in-law of Laurentine Higbie, died suddenly, and was buried the day before they arrived at Wilmington.
The case of Laurentine Higbie is a strange one indeed. Much there is in it that savors of fiction and romance, but, nevertheless, the story is true, and the many friends are joyful over the finding of the man who was lost. There are many points in the years between when Laurentine Higbie became Lauren F. Higby that will never be cleared up. Only the complete return of the man's memory can do that. At all events, his wife and children are grateful that the lost years of their loved one's life are partially accounted for.
It is supposed that after the last letter home Mr. Higbie lost his memory, then married, and somehow in some unexplained way, retained a name like his own. The Physician's theory seems very reasonable; at all events is the best that can be taken until, perhaps, the man himself may be able to tell more of his life."
Richfield Springs 1913
IronCity fascinating, wouldn't it have been something to have met the man in person?
What a curious tale. Was it a case of identity theft, or was the man's memory truly addled by lead poisoning? Very strange...
Interesting, thanks for posting this.
"Lead poisoning", or a fugue induced by PTSD?
IronCity Very very interesting. And thank you for taking the time to type this article so researchers could access it. Your efforts are appreciated.
One of the coolest things I've ever seen on U-Tube. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Someone needs to re-sing this and put it on the radio. Thank you for posting this.
As the previous comments reflect, this piece is extremely moving! Thank you for posting this where it can be experienced by all. Did you not used to have the written words accompany this? I think that was a valuable addition. Thank you again!
Thank you for posting this. As a life-long student of the Civil War, I really can appreciate this--this rare treasure from the past. Thanks again for preserving this wonderful piece of history.
As I was hearing the song I... wept. I couldn't do anything else but listen to every word. Thank you Mr. Higbie for your service and may you find your comrades in the bivouac of souls.
What a beautiful way of preserving the memory of these soldiers and their sacrifice so long ago.
I'm a Civil War buff and I am really moved my this ... what a great idea to post this. Thanks for sharing. This is priceless.
Laurentine Higbie
Residence was not listed; 21 years old.
Enlisted on 12/30/1863 at Exeter, NY as a Private.
On 12/31/1863 he mustered into "Batty A" Co. NY 1st Light Artillery
He was Mustered Out on 6/28/1865 at Elmira, NY
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- New York: Report of the Adjutant-General 1893-1906
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
Talk about nostalgic... this is really cool! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this amazing bit of history. I have such respect for the soldiers of the Civil War. They were divided but reunited for our country.
I do hope you are saving / archiving some of these gems in MP3 or FLAC - these recordings are too precious to lose, and I'm sure the LOC would agree. (maybe it belongs in the Folkways archives / collection?)
TY for sharing!
Incredible. Hearing it for the first time was like going back in time as we begin to hear the voice, it seemed so close yet so far in history. Thank you!
Thank you! This is a voice that is forever still and which speaks for a generation that most only think of as fuzzy black and white images in photographs. The truth is that they were real flesh and blood people with aspirations hopes and uncertainties jsut like us.
What a rare treasure.
To think this is the voice of a man who fell into line when the war drum beat. A man who may have voted for Lincoln, or stood his ground at Gettysburg, or a thousand other hallowed grounds. This is astonishingly wonderful. I thank you so very much for posting this,,, on my birthday no less. Do you or does anyone else know Mr. Higbie's service record?
I sincerely appreciate your comments. I also share your feelings of wishing to hear more of his life as a Civil War soldier. It would be fascinating. Thanks for your comments.
Tht was incredible! Wow is all I can say. I have never heard the voice of a Civil War veteran. Thanks so much for posting this timepiece for all to enjoy.
Thank you for posting this...
To hear the voice of a civil war vet is such a treasure!
Very moving. I am at a loss of words when I hear or see veterans from the Civil War. Sad, incredibly sad...
Wow so awesome to hear the voice of civil war vet. From oh so long ago. God bless. Thanks for sharing
Not only is this history talking, but it also brought a tear to my eyes.
The wooden amplifier produces a sweet, rounded sound !!!! What a beautiful model !
Absolutely amazing. I can't help but think of how quickly the 'greatest generation' is fading away. Thank god we have much better technology to document their heroism.
hauntingly ethereal and beautiful you are force to feel his anguish and profound emotion simply by listening and hearing his voice..very few things in life have the powerful quality .. thanks for uploading
Deeply moving. Thank you, Mr. Higbie, for everything.
That's amazing. Thanks so much for preserving this on TH-cam so it will not be lost.
Beautiful tribute to the cause of the Union soldier, and of the sacrfices made for, as the song says, "The salvation of our nation". As their comrades stepped out of march, to meet their maker, Union civil war veterans became increasingly sentimental, knowing that each of them faced the same fate. Read the texts of GAR encampment notes for more insights. Thank you very MUCH for sharing this lovely, touching song. This veteran had a fine voice for 85 years.
Tremendously affecting, as though I felt the Earth move.
thank you for sharing
My first ever post in response to a TH-cam Video, to say ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! What SOUL and CHRISTIAN LOVE and LONGING, exudes from this MAN and his LADY!!!! We should all have been so lucky to have met this couple. Christians will!
@Skytroop You are very welcome. Your comments are sincerely appreciated and I surely agree with you. I'm hoping that my recent efforts in posting what I feel are the words that Mr. Higbie is singing are included in the video. It seems that sometimes when I play the video myself I see them sometimes and sometimes I don't. I would appreciate hearing from you and others on this. Thanks again for your comments.
This song is excellent. I could see myself listening to this while smoking a good pipe.
Amazing, and needs to be preserved for future generations.
Wow what a powerful song.
A tribute to what they did ; and you know singing those words he had to feel very mortal.
Yet he had a lot of faith to look forward and seeing his friends again in Heaven
Thank you for this recording.
I cannot by thank you enough for preserving this for the future.
Wow! My great great grandfather served in the CW both as a confederate AND union soldier. Currently, my Dad is 90 years old and a World War II veteran.This could be his song now too! I'm going to have him listen to it and see what he says. Us kids are finally getting to hear his war stories from WWII. I've learned that's common among WWII vets. We're so glad he's still around to tell them. :-)
You are very welcome. Thanks very much for posting this record. It's a truly important and poignant bit of history. BTW, the craftsmanship of that phonograph horn is absolutely amazing.
Thank you for sharing this piece of history.
That is total awesome to hear voices from the past!!!!