The Battle Cry of Freedom During the civil war the union army was low on troop numbers and President Abraham Lincoln sent out a call for 300,000 volunteers. Composer George F. Root found himself compelled to do to something for the war efforts for the Union Army. In response to President Lincolns call, George F. Root wrote, “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” In verse three of this song it says, “WE will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave. Shouting the Battle cry of freedom. And although they may be poor, not a man shall be a slave. Shouting the Battle cry of Freedom.” This song was performed on July 24th and 26th in 1862 and after it was performed President Lincoln said, “ You have done more than a hundred generals and a thousand orators.” George F. Root was thrilled the response that his song had inspired. After is was published and incredible 500,000 to 700,000 copies were reprinted. To the success of his war and propaganda efforts George F. Root is quoted saying, “From there (a war rally in Chicago were his song was performed) the song went into the army, and the testimony in regard to its use in the camp and on the march, and even on the field of battle from soldiers and officers, up to the good President himself, made me thankful that if I could not shoulder a musket in defense of my country I could serve her in this way.” http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/on-the-homefront/culture/music/battle-cry-of-freedom/battle-cry-of-freedom.html http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2004-4/thismonth/feature.php http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=780&bih=367&tbm=isch&tbnid=9ryFFt3gRK7r5M:&imgrefurl=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2010/05/we-remember-the-fallen-civil-war-posters/&docid=ohqRuPzocVC_GM&imgurl=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/files/legacy/civil%252520war%252520poster8.jpg&w=290&h=399&ei=yEWbUJLEJ47A9gSIv4DQAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=9&sig=115027486888519570155&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=98&start=0&ndsp=5&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:150&tx=52&ty=56