Music of the 1st Dragoons

In Sam Chamberlain's "Confessions of a Rogue" (Goetzmann edition at p. 285) is mention of a song that celebrates Company A's encounter at the Battle of Buena Vista. Written by "Happy Jack" a member of the company, the first verse (of allegedly 400 verses) goes as follows:

The Battle of Buena Vista

It was on the 22nd, the day being clear.
We espied the advancing Army of Mexican Lancers.
At two o'clk they fired a shot when we returned the same.
Dam ye eyes, Old Zack cries, for now commence the game.

Chorus: So cher up my lively lads, for it never shall be said
That the First Dragoons was ever yet afraid.


Bold Soldier Boy

There is not a man that's going
Worth a knowing or a showing,
Like Scott from glory growing,
The Bold Soldier Boy.
He went to Mexico,
Sure you know it is so,
And he flogged his country's foe,
Like the Bold Soldier Boy.
Triumphantly he marched through,


The ladies looking arch through
The window panes they search through
The ranks to find their joy,
While up the street each man they meet,
When Scott passed by they all would cry,
Hurra for Winfield Scott,
The Bold Soldier Boy.

But Pierce and King we'll rout,
How they flout and they shout,
To the White-House right about
Goes the Bold Soldier Boy.
Then when Locos rant and rare,
Tear their hair in despair,
For they know Pierce won't compare
With the Bold Soldier Boy.
The Locos shout in chorus,
The Whigs are going to floor us,
For Scott and Graham are roarers,
Uncle Sam will them employ.
The North, the South, the East, the West,
Will vote for them they love the best;
They will go for Winfield Scott,
The Bold Soldier Boy.

Then let's united be, and agree, you will see,
We shall win the victory,
With our Bold Soldier Boy.
At Chippewa and Lundy's Lane,
Then again, on the Plain,
He whipped the British train
Like a Bold Soldier Boy.


Ottarson, F. J.; editor; Colston, E. R.; editor. 'Bold Soldier Boy' in 'The Campaign Scott and Graham Songster: A Choice Collection of Original and Selected Whig Songs' . New York: D. E. Gavit, 1852. [format: book], [genre: song]. Permission: Newberry Library
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