Perhaps the most romantic and inspiring occasion on which _The Battle Cry of Freedom_ was ever sung was at the raising of the flag over Fort Sumter on the 14th of April, 1865, that being the fourth anniversary of the day when Major Anderson had evacuated the fort after his brave defense. A large number of citizens went from New York in excursion steamers, to assist in the celebration. Colonel Stewart L. Woodford, recently the United States minister to Spain, was master of ceremonies. The oration was delivered by the eloquent Henry Ward Beecher, but the supreme moment of interest came when Major-General Anderson, who had added General to the Major in the past four years, after a touching and tender address, received from Sergeant Hart a bag containing the precious old flag which had waved in the breeze through those days of fierce bombardment, the din of which had been heard around the world. The flag had been saved for such a time as this, and now, by order of Abraham Lincoln, it was brought back to wave again over Fort Sumter. It was attached to the halyards, and General Anderson hoisted it to the head of the flagstaff amid loud huzzas. One can imagine the inspiration of the occasion, as William B. Bradbury led the singing of _The Battle Cry of Freedom_. How the tears ran down the cheeks, and hearts overflowed with thanksgiving as they shouted the chorus underneath the folds of the very flag that had received the first baptism of fire at the beginning of the Rebellion:-- "The Union forever, hurrah! boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star, While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom!" [Illustration] [Illustration: _HENRY CLAY WORK_] _SONG OF A THOUSAND YEARS._ Lift up your eyes, desponding freemen! Fling to the winds your needless fears! He who unfurl'd your beauteous banner, Says it shall wave a thousand years! "A thousand years!" my own Columbia, 'Tis the glad day so long foretold! 'Tis the glad morn whose early twilight, Washington saw in times of old. What if the clouds, one little moment, Hide the blue sky where morn appears-- When the bright sun, that tints them crimson, Rises to shine a thousand years? Tell the great world these blessed tidings! Yes, and be sure the bondman hears; Tell the oppressed of every nation, Jubilee lasts a thousand years! Envious foes, beyond the ocean! Little we heed your threat'ning sneers; Little will they--our children's children-- When you are gone a thousand years. Rebels at home! go hide your faces-- Weep for your crimes with bitter tears; You could not bind the blessed daylight, Though you should strive a thousand years.