Song writers of the period also looked to Shiloh for the themes of their melodies. The most successful endeavor in this field was made by Will S. Hays in “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.” Like the play by that name, the song is undoubtedly based upon fancy rather than facts. The title was chosen because of its certain musical quality and not because of its connection with any incident of the engagement. Hays, a correspondent of the _Louisville Democrat_, wrote the song in 1862 while the story of the battle was still news rather than history. It is not known whether he was at the battle of Shiloh or whether his sympathies were with the North or the South. However, his song immediately became famous throughout the country and remained popular for a number of years. The song and the play, “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh,” may possibly be credited with the creation, or at least the perpetuation, of the popular legend about “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.” After the publication of these works several claimants to the title came to the fore. Needless to say, these men had not been killed at the battle, but each maintained that his presence at the engagement as a youthful drummer had inspired the authors. From time to time, as years passed, newspapers in widely scattered sections of the country announced “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh Dies.” A recent study by Ray H. Mattison, former historian at Shiloh National Military Park, proved that many of the claimants were ineligible for the designation. In the final analysis, John Clem, “The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga,” was found to have the strongest claim to the Shiloh title. THE DRUMMER BOY OF SHILOH _“Look down upon the battlefield, Oh Thou, Our Heavenly Friend, Have mercy on our sinful souls.” The soldiers cried, “Amen.” There gathered ’round a little group, Each brave man knelt and cried. They listened to the drummer boy, Who prayed before he died._ _“Oh, Mother,” said the dying boy, “Look down from heaven on me. Receive me to thy fond embrace, Oh, take me home to thee. I’ve loved my country as my God. To serve them both I’ve tried!” He smiled, shook hands—death seized the boy, Who prayed before he died._ _Each soldier wept then like a child. Stout hearts were they and brave. They wrapped him in his country’s flag And laid him in the grave. They placed by him the Bible, A rededicated guide To those that mourn the drummer boy Who prayed before he died._ _Ye angels ’round the throne of grace, Look down upon the braves, Who fought and died on Shiloh’s plain, Now slumbering in their graves. How many homes made desolate, How many hearts have sighed. How many like that drummer boy, Who prayed before he died._ —Will S. Hays.