Down Memory Lane

[L Verge]

A contingent of the Marine Band was in Surrattsville during a local election in 1863, and David Herold (who grew up a short distance from the Marine Barracks) was with them. This is when he met Louis Weichmann, who was with John Surratt at the old home.

[RJNorton]

A contingent of the Marine Band was in Surrattsville during a local election in 1863, and David Herold (who grew up a short distance from the Marine Barracks) was with them. This is when he met Louis Weichmann, who was with John Surratt at the old home.

I know Peter Taltavull played the French Horn in the Marine Band. Is it known what David Herold played?

[BettyO]

I don't think that Davey played an instrument - he was just tagging along with the band. Weichmann described him as a sort of "Hail-Fellow-Well-Met".....

[LincolnMan]

Which is "old-school" language saying Davey was okay?

[BettyO]

Correct!

According to Wiki -Hail fellow well met is a somewhat archaic English idiom used when referring to a person whose behavior is hearty, friendly, and congenial."

[L Verge]

Betty is correct. Davy was friends with most of the men in the band and even school mates described him as being friendly and outgoing. He was known to be the class clown and could use humor to stop arguments, etc. I suspect that he got many of those traits from being around adults a lot while on hunting and fishing treks with his father. Those who testified to him being dim-witted may have been trying to save his otherwise smart (or immature) neck.

[Miss_Bellatrix]

Correct!

According to Wiki -Hail fellow well met is a somewhat archaic English idiom used when referring to a person whose behavior is hearty, friendly, and congenial."

I wish we still had phrases and sayings like this! I know if I used it today, nobody would have a clue what I was saying.

[DanielC]

Johnny Horton also recoreded The Battle of Bull Run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI7vBQRuTYg

I'm not sure if he was the last confederate soldier but its a great story to see that my all time favorite sang to him. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz8E4QCyAMc

[LincolnMan]

Johnny Horton also recoreded The Battle of Bull Run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI7vBQRuTYg

I'm not sure if he was the last confederate soldier but its a great story to see that my all time favorite sang to him. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz8E4QCyAMc

The Battle of Bull Run video of the song is nice. The pictures of Lee and Grant seem out of place since neither were there.