Hello my friend, at first sorry for my bad english (I am mexican). Well, for me this is a great jewell, it's a veeeery worthy musical piece, just imagine, if this man was 85 in 1927, then he was born in 1841/42, 170 years ago!!! And so we can listen to his voice, it's simply amazing!! Also, I feel something about the song, this man remembering all what he lived in the war, he loose his friends there, in his voice I feel some sadness. And singing in this way at 85 years old is great. Greetings!!
Wow! My great great grandfather served in the CW both as a confederate AND union soldier. Currently, my Dad is 90 years old and a World War II veteran.This could be his song now too! I'm going to have him listen to it and see what he says. Us kids are finally getting to hear his war stories from WWII. I've learned that's common among WWII vets. We're so glad he's still around to tell them. :-)
Thank you for posting this. As a life-long student of the Civil War, I really can appreciate this--this rare treasure from the past. Thanks again for preserving this wonderful piece of history.
This is 1 of the most wierd recording i have heard... it is sad but yet awesome to hear a man's voice who passed away a long time ago.
I liek the idea of playing it on a original recordplayer but i would prefer a electric becouse i do NOT want to damage it.. the change of damaging 1 is so big... yet i would not even dare to touch it... i woudl seal it all away from all mann kind... and i am 17! WHat a strange world :D
As I was hearing the song I... wept. I couldn't do anything else but listen to every word. Thank you Mr. Higbie for your service and may you find your comrades in the bivouac of souls.
Good lord that's an incredibly rare record and should not be played with a steel needle let alone on an exhibition sound box for an electrical recording. Preserve that beauty! Totally fabulous!
Not only is this quite an important historical artifact, it's a Marsh 78 in quite collectible condition. Marsh 78s are incredibly collectible (especially their Autograph line) and collectors have been snapping these up for the better part of 50 years. This may actually be from 1926 as my understanding is that Marsh made their last recordings in that year. This truly is an important, significant find.
@PJDooWop Thanks for the great comments. You're one of the few people who have noticed and commented on the scarcity of the record label as well as the actual recording itself. I believe that I have only one other example of this record label in my collection and I have only a few of the blue Autograph label records. It's a shame that the Marsh recordings are so scarce as the quality is quite good from my perspective.
The quality is excellent considering the vintage. Marsh laboratories was ahead of their time. These are some of the earliest electrically recorded discs. The quality is even apparent on your acoustic reproducer which is quite interesting since it is my understanding that electrically recorded discs weren't intended for play on acoustic equipment. Maybe Marsh employed an early electric / acoustic hybrid?
Do you know what year that was recorded? My guess would be somewhere in the 1920s or 30s, given his age at the recording and accounting for his probable age at his enlistment. But, is there any indication on the recording?
God forbid something happens to this great piece of history, and I don't wish it at all, but have you recorded this on some modern recording devices, CD or a DVD perhaps?
@visor109 You bring up a great point as I have a number of unique or rare records such as this in my collection and I am endeavoring to launch an objective to do just that. Thanks for your interest.
George Putnam the radio newsman on his radio show a few years ago played an audio recording of a civil war veteran of the battle of Gettysburg. One of the things i remember him talking about was on the retreat of the Confederate army they dumped some Muskets into a lake. It was a really interesting interview. I would like to hunt that down.
@GottaJohnFrusciante Yes, there are. I have heard 78's which featured former CS vets performing the Rebel Yell, and no, it doesn't sound as you think it might. However, if you transpose what they are doing by putting a little more youth in their voices, and multiply it by several hundred, you will get a chill down your spine just thinking about it. ;)
I have heard other cylinder recordings and 78's featuring CW vets as well. Haunt some CW forums, the recordings are out there.
Thank you for sharing this treasure with us. I also appreciated your heartfelt and beautifully choreographed camera work on the video. Your visual presentation added much to the power of the lyrics, melody, and voices. My dad was a WW-2 vet and this will be our first Memorial Day without him, but this song brings me comfort.. In a way, each of us is a soldier that has to be "ready for inspection in the morning..." God bless you.
@2020wonderbred Thanks for your wonderful comments. Your comments are among the greatest and most endearing that I have received and read thusfar for my video. You are very welcome and God Bless you as well.
When I heard this recording I could not not help but to be moved to tears for I knew four World war one veterans and I think of them now that they are gone forever.
The door of the first world war is closed forever and now all we have are the memories of these fine men who went and fought and died in the trenches all those years ago. Thank you for posting this record.
this is amazing the last american ww1 veteran died a few weeks ago and now im listening to an 85 year old civil war veteran sing its very sobering to think that one day people will listen to WW2 veterans veitnam vetrans gulf veterans long after the last one has died thank you for posting this
this song is very moving since he was in the civil war, and im suprised he had the get-up-and-go to sing this at 85 year of age! Makes me wonder how many of these records are left.
Very touching. In a few years, our World War 2 veterans will be nothing but memories such as this. I hope the people of today take the time to preserve those memories such as they did 100 years ago.
Tht was incredible! Wow is all I can say. I have never heard the voice of a Civil War veteran. Thanks so much for posting this timepiece for all to enjoy.
This record truly is a treasure! It's amazing to hear the voice of a man who fought in that war.. I had 5 relatives serve in the war, one of whom never returened home. It's hard not to think of them as i listen to this. Thanks so much for posting it! You have a great looking Victor player too!
As a descendant of many soldiers who fought in that war and others, I would like to extend my gratitude for sharing this wonderful recording. THANK YOU!!
As a descendant of many soldiers who fought in that war and others, I would like to extend my gratitude for sharing this wonderful recording. THANK YOU!!
Born 1842 Otesego NY. Enlisted 1863 Co. A 1st NY Light Artillery. Discharge 1865, moved to Ill. became house decorator and artist. Daughter Mabel Higby born 1879, a musician. They recorded this Nov. 1927. He was also known as Laurentine Higby on Civil War Pension. Died 3 Jan 1930.
@samara31jp Thanks for sharing this interesting information. I've often wondered if there are any surviving relatives of Mr. Higbie who would have any additional information.
@akoerger The words appearing in the video as Mr. Higbie is singing represent my interpretation of what Mr. Higbie is singing. These are all that I have posted.
btw...didn't have enough room left to write more, but i just want to add that i pressed the like button and i will add you to my subscribe list and greetings from Sweden! I also hope that Mr. Higbie had a good life after the war and that he had a large family with many grandchildren.
I really liked listening to the clip. It really moved me when i heard him singing. it felt like he had a sadness in his voice. I wonder what he thought of the world and the US in 1927, how it had progressed from the end of the Civil War, if it had turned out the way the ones who fought in the civil war thought it would be. I'm a sucker for history, like, lock me up in a room full of history books and i will be fine, so i would really have liked to meet Mr. Higbie and listened to his lifestory.
i always think the civil war was so long ago that even the language must have been different. happy to report that i understood every word, though i wonder if his accent was different from a modern upstate ny'er
Can hardly describe how listening to this voice from the past makes me feel. A real participant and not a reenactor, a song I have never heard before (not one of the five or six that are sung over and over) and a sensitive and moving performance. Thank you Mr. Higbie, Electra Records and MusicBoxBoy for adding this piece of art and history to my life.
@McGrenzer You are very welcome and thank you for such moving comments. I'm pleased that this recording has been so well received and sincerely appreciated. It's refreshing to know that there are many others including yourself who are equally moved by this recording as I have been since I first listened to it.
You are very welcome. Thanks very much for posting this record. It's a truly important and poignant bit of history. BTW, the craftsmanship of that phonograph horn is absolutely amazing.
The History of Will County, Illinois includes an extensive bio on Lauren Higbie and family. He was born 31 March 1842 in Ostego County NY. Family name at times also spelled Higby. He was a member of Company A, 1st NY Light Artillery. He was discharged 28 June 1865 at Elmira NY, and moved to IL, KS and back to IL. Was a resident of Will County since 1870, working as an artist, landscape painter and decorator. His daughter Mabel was a music teacher. This record & another were made Nov. 1927.
I really enjoyed your recording. My mom used to tell me about watching the old veterans march in the parades. When she died, we buried her next to her grandmother and grandfather--he a Union veteran of four years service. The adjacent row of graves are a line of Union veterans, and on either side of them, old seige cannon forged in 1862. It's funny, but I draw a great deal of comfort from the fact that Mom is guarded forever by the strong line of those old veterans. Thank you again!
How cool to hear the voice of a civil war veteran! What a wonderful piece of history you have. It's interesting to hear how he describes his endeavor and think of what it is like living today in the states.
Thank you! This is a voice that is forever still and which speaks for a generation that most only think of as fuzzy black and white images in photographs. The truth is that they were real flesh and blood people with aspirations hopes and uncertainties jsut like us.
@Skytroop You are very welcome. Your comments are sincerely appreciated and I surely agree with you. I'm hoping that my recent efforts in posting what I feel are the words that Mr. Higbie is singing are included in the video. It seems that sometimes when I play the video myself I see them sometimes and sometimes I don't. I would appreciate hearing from you and others on this. Thanks again for your comments.
Amazing and poignant recording. What a treasure. You bless us by sharing it. I don't suppose you can offer a transcript of the lyrics? I am straining to understand all of the words, and I really want to know them all . . .
@darkflower2 Per your request and those of others I have added my interpretation of Mr. Higbie's words to the video. Thanks for your comments and interest.
The voice of a man born in the first half of the nineteenth century...Indescribably incredible. As a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, whose direct ancestors served in the Orleans Artillery and Bienville Rifles, all aspects of that bloody sectional conflict enthrall me. Thank you very much for sharing.
@GuinevereJuliet You're welcome! And thank you for stopping in and taking the time to post such nice comments. It is supportive comments like yours that make this well worth the effort.
@MacCoinneach Thanks so much for your encouraging and thoughtful comments! It's great for me to see the nice responses to this recording. Stop in again anytime.
I have a great great great grandfather who fought in the Civil War. He was captured and died at Andersonville prison camp, were conditions were similar to a Nazi concentration camp. We have the last letter he sent before he died. This song made me think about him. Usually when we think about veterans, we think about those who are still around, but we often forget about those who fought in wars long ago.
That is AWESOME that you found this information on Mr. Higbie! Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us. I would also be interested in seeing the lyrics to this song as several of the words are not distinct. I'm sure others would appreciate it as well if you can find them somewhere. Thanks again for the information.
To think this is the voice of a man who fell into line when the war drum beat. A man who may have voted for Lincoln, or stood his ground at Gettysburg, or a thousand other hallowed grounds. This is astonishingly wonderful. I thank you so very much for posting this,,, on my birthday no less. Do you or does anyone else know Mr. Higbie's service record?
Thank you for posting the wonderful comments on my video! I'm pleased that you enjoyed this. I have always been very moved by this recording as well. I don't have any service record or other information on Mr. Higbie but perhaps in time a family member or relative watching and listening will be able to help. Thanks again for your comments.
@MusicBoxBoy I couldn't find Higbie and a Google for the song turned up nothing, but in an old Washington Post from July 10, 1904 it states the song was written by Chaplain John Hogarth Lozier and it was dedicated to John A. Logan, a Union General who survived the war but passed away in 1886. The song on the occaision of the writing was being sung at a monument dedication of the 122nd New York Volunteers.
Thanks for posting this. I wish Mr Higbie were still around to tell us his tales. Thanks to you his song is being played worldwide. I'll bet he would have never imagined it.
I sincerely appreciate your comments. I also share your feelings of wishing to hear more of his life as a Civil War soldier. It would be fascinating. Thanks for your comments.
Thanks for posting this rarity. As a longtime collector, I have never seen an Electra record, let alone this recording. Cheers to you and the Higbies.
You are very welcome. When I found this record years ago and first listened to it I was hoping that someday I would be able to share it with those who, like me, would have a sincere appreciation for it. I thank you for your encouraging comments.
Special finds like this are what make sites like Youtube so worthwhile. thanks so much for posting this one of a kind recording. This one would be well worth digitalizing to preserve for future generations as I highly doubt that there are many copies of it left in existance.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I would agree with you. My guess is that only a small handful of these were pressed and likely distributed to family members and possibly local shops. Survivors would certainly be extremely rare. Thanks for stopping in.
Beautiful tribute to the cause of the Union soldier, and of the sacrfices made for, as the song says, "The salvation of our nation". As their comrades stepped out of march, to meet their maker, Union civil war veterans became increasingly sentimental, knowing that each of them faced the same fate. Read the texts of GAR encampment notes for more insights. Thank you very MUCH for sharing this lovely, touching song. This veteran had a fine voice for 85 years.
What a treasure. It is so incredibly moving and heavy. Just to even imagine Mr. Higbie's experience is beyond my comprehension. Thank you so much. This really moved me on this snowy day.
You are very welcome, goldenlady1983! I have always been deeply moved by this recording as well. Thanks for stopping in and please come back again soon.
Wow, I never in a million years would have though I would be listening to a man, who fought in the civil war. I am most grateful that you posted this.
Thank you! I would never have thought I would hear the voice of such a man as this. You were wise to have found and saved this record, and kind to share it with us.
My pleasure. It's very gratifying to hear from people like you who take the time to post such encouraging and gracious comments. One of these days I would like to post the other side of this record which is by the same Civil War veteran. Thank you for stopping in for a visit.
wonderful. I appreciate the way you love your old records. Very nice of you. God bless people like you. And your victor gramophone is a treasure to behold. Keep it up.
Very clear for an early 78 for sure! Recordings like this need to be preserved! Is the Victorola Horn made out of wood? or just painted that way? Thanks for sharing it!
Thanks for your gracious comments. I agree with you that rare recordings such as this should be preserved. I have played this example only a handful of times and keep it very secure in a temperature controlled environment. The horn is an original Victor Talking Machine horn made of oak. You are very welcome anytime and thanks again for stopping in.
Thanks for your wonderful comments, RagtimeFreak86. Recognizing that recordings like this may have a rather limited audience it's both refreshing and encouraging to hear from appreciative viewers like you. Thanks again for stopping in and taking the time to post your comment.
Hello my friend, at first sorry for my bad english (I am mexican). Well, for me this is a great jewell, it's a veeeery worthy musical piece, just imagine, if this man was 85 in 1927, then he was born in 1841/42, 170 years ago!!! And so we can listen to his voice, it's simply amazing!! Also, I feel something about the song, this man remembering all what he lived in the war, he loose his friends there, in his voice I feel some sadness. And singing in this way at 85 years old is great. Greetings!!
LGJoe88 1 month ago
@LGJoe88 Great comments! Thank you for taking the time to share them.
MusicBoxBoy 4 weeks ago
I bet that's his wife playing the piano and singing with him. <3
Christ4mect 1 month ago
Wow! My great great grandfather served in the CW both as a confederate AND union soldier. Currently, my Dad is 90 years old and a World War II veteran.This could be his song now too! I'm going to have him listen to it and see what he says. Us kids are finally getting to hear his war stories from WWII. I've learned that's common among WWII vets. We're so glad he's still around to tell them. :-)
Christ4mect 1 month ago
Wonderful. I would love to know more about this solider and his wife, but it is probably lost to the ages.
zenpiper 1 month ago
Thank you for posting this. As a life-long student of the Civil War, I really can appreciate this--this rare treasure from the past. Thanks again for preserving this wonderful piece of history.
InsideKearnyCastle 1 month ago
This is 1 of the most wierd recording i have heard... it is sad but yet awesome to hear a man's voice who passed away a long time ago.
I liek the idea of playing it on a original recordplayer but i would prefer a electric becouse i do NOT want to damage it.. the change of damaging 1 is so big... yet i would not even dare to touch it... i woudl seal it all away from all mann kind... and i am 17! WHat a strange world :D
pongboy1100 2 months ago
Wow what a powerful song.
A tribute to what they did ; and you know singing those words he had to feel very mortal.
Yet he had a lot of faith to look forward and seeing his friends again in Heaven
Thank you for this recording.
waynetube58 2 months ago
@waynetube58 My pleasure. Thank you for your comment.
MusicBoxBoy 2 months ago
The subtitles that I'm seeing only translated the first part of each verse. I would love to have a complete transcription of the words.
clfhcks 3 months ago
Always been captivated by this time period since I was a little boy... you have an incredible gem here!
justinolobo 4 months ago 2
As I was hearing the song I... wept. I couldn't do anything else but listen to every word. Thank you Mr. Higbie for your service and may you find your comrades in the bivouac of souls.
11381262 4 months ago
I'm a Civil War buff and I am really moved my this ... what a great idea to post this. Thanks for sharing. This is priceless.
SKINSDOMIN8 4 months ago
Good lord that's an incredibly rare record and should not be played with a steel needle let alone on an exhibition sound box for an electrical recording. Preserve that beauty! Totally fabulous!
2agray 5 months ago
@jimbowie09 I agree. For an elderly gent, his voice was quite good at 85. Thanks for your comments.
MusicBoxBoy 5 months ago
Not only is this quite an important historical artifact, it's a Marsh 78 in quite collectible condition. Marsh 78s are incredibly collectible (especially their Autograph line) and collectors have been snapping these up for the better part of 50 years. This may actually be from 1926 as my understanding is that Marsh made their last recordings in that year. This truly is an important, significant find.
PJDooWop 6 months ago
@PJDooWop Thanks for the great comments. You're one of the few people who have noticed and commented on the scarcity of the record label as well as the actual recording itself. I believe that I have only one other example of this record label in my collection and I have only a few of the blue Autograph label records. It's a shame that the Marsh recordings are so scarce as the quality is quite good from my perspective.
MusicBoxBoy 6 months ago
The quality is excellent considering the vintage. Marsh laboratories was ahead of their time. These are some of the earliest electrically recorded discs. The quality is even apparent on your acoustic reproducer which is quite interesting since it is my understanding that electrically recorded discs weren't intended for play on acoustic equipment. Maybe Marsh employed an early electric / acoustic hybrid?
PJDooWop 6 months ago
Of course, the best way to record this for posterity would be through the use of an optical turntable, such as the ELF laser turntable.
But, that wouldn't be as authentic as playing it on a genuine Victrola.
Watcher3223 6 months ago
@Watcher3223
Correction: ELP turntable, not ELF.
Watcher3223 6 months ago
amazing! wow i am impressed with the care taken to this machine. how did you come across these beauties?
digitalblasphemy1100 6 months ago
Do you know what year that was recorded? My guess would be somewhere in the 1920s or 30s, given his age at the recording and accounting for his probable age at his enlistment. But, is there any indication on the recording?
RealLifeWorthLiving 6 months ago
Crazy to think the voice recorded here belonged to a man who fought in the Civil War, and has been dead well over 80 years... wow.
EmberGunz93 6 months ago
One of the coolest things I've ever seen on U-Tube. Thank you so much for sharing it!
swimman155 6 months ago
@swimman155 My pleasure. Thanks for stopping in and for the nice comments.
MusicBoxBoy 6 months ago
Beautiful.
MrNightOwL100 6 months ago
Thats gold ye got there son!
debeerpaul 6 months ago
beautiful
soup460 7 months ago
@soup460 Thank you.
MusicBoxBoy 7 months ago
Wow! What a brilliant find! This makes me so proud to be a history student!
teawithmarmalade 7 months ago
@teawithmarmalade Thanks for the great comments!
MusicBoxBoy 7 months ago
This is incredible. Thank you for posting!
Nick410s 8 months ago
@Nick410s You are very welcome. Thanks for the nice comments.
MusicBoxBoy 7 months ago
this is really something else here wow
1TakeVlog 8 months ago
God forbid something happens to this great piece of history, and I don't wish it at all, but have you recorded this on some modern recording devices, CD or a DVD perhaps?
visor109 8 months ago
@visor109 You bring up a great point as I have a number of unique or rare records such as this in my collection and I am endeavoring to launch an objective to do just that. Thanks for your interest.
MusicBoxBoy 8 months ago
@visor109 make a copy to keep and send this to a museum, this is historically significant, you dont want it to get destroyed
nick21sammy 8 months ago
George Putnam the radio newsman on his radio show a few years ago played an audio recording of a civil war veteran of the battle of Gettysburg. One of the things i remember him talking about was on the retreat of the Confederate army they dumped some Muskets into a lake. It was a really interesting interview. I would like to hunt that down.
UWarren 9 months ago
@UWarren I would enjoy listening to that interview as well. If any viewers of my videos locate this please let me know. Thanks for your comments!
MusicBoxBoy 9 months ago
I wonder if there are other recordings of Civil War veterans?
GottaJohnFrusciante 10 months ago
@GottaJohnFrusciante I've never seen or heard of any other example on a 78rpm record like this or on cylinder. Thanks for your comment.
MusicBoxBoy 10 months ago
@GottaJohnFrusciante Yes, there are. I have heard 78's which featured former CS vets performing the Rebel Yell, and no, it doesn't sound as you think it might. However, if you transpose what they are doing by putting a little more youth in their voices, and multiply it by several hundred, you will get a chill down your spine just thinking about it. ;)
I have heard other cylinder recordings and 78's featuring CW vets as well. Haunt some CW forums, the recordings are out there.
Ottoman1337 9 months ago
Thank you for sharing this treasure with us. I also appreciated your heartfelt and beautifully choreographed camera work on the video. Your visual presentation added much to the power of the lyrics, melody, and voices. My dad was a WW-2 vet and this will be our first Memorial Day without him, but this song brings me comfort.. In a way, each of us is a soldier that has to be "ready for inspection in the morning..." God bless you.
2020wonderbred 10 months ago
@2020wonderbred Thanks for your wonderful comments. Your comments are among the greatest and most endearing that I have received and read thusfar for my video. You are very welcome and God Bless you as well.
MusicBoxBoy 10 months ago
When I heard this recording I could not not help but to be moved to tears for I knew four World war one veterans and I think of them now that they are gone forever.
The door of the first world war is closed forever and now all we have are the memories of these fine men who went and fought and died in the trenches all those years ago. Thank you for posting this record.
MrArchiveman 10 months ago
God Bless You Mr. Higbie I'll hope to meet you up there someday...to thank you for everything you have done.
easye1989 10 months ago
I'm awed by the voice from the past...........
nutmegger1957 11 months ago 2
thank you for posting, i admit i got teared up listening to this. bless you
atfigure 11 months ago
@atfigure Thanks for the gracious comments. Glad to hear that you were moved by the recording. It's truly a special recording.
MusicBoxBoy 11 months ago
@MusicBoxBoy Thank you for sharing this treasure.
george555manke 10 months ago
this is amazing the last american ww1 veteran died a few weeks ago and now im listening to an 85 year old civil war veteran sing its very sobering to think that one day people will listen to WW2 veterans veitnam vetrans gulf veterans long after the last one has died thank you for posting this
phillip549 11 months ago
@phillip549 My pleasure Phillip. Thanks for the nice commments.
MusicBoxBoy 11 months ago
Amazing, and needs to be preserved for future generations.
rjc071 1 year ago
this song is very moving since he was in the civil war, and im suprised he had the get-up-and-go to sing this at 85 year of age! Makes me wonder how many of these records are left.
TheSpexGuy 1 year ago
Very touching. In a few years, our World War 2 veterans will be nothing but memories such as this. I hope the people of today take the time to preserve those memories such as they did 100 years ago.
rebdevil1 1 year ago
Tht was incredible! Wow is all I can say. I have never heard the voice of a Civil War veteran. Thanks so much for posting this timepiece for all to enjoy.
akretowicz 1 year ago
This record truly is a treasure! It's amazing to hear the voice of a man who fought in that war.. I had 5 relatives serve in the war, one of whom never returened home. It's hard not to think of them as i listen to this. Thanks so much for posting it! You have a great looking Victor player too!
Neopia123 1 year ago
@Neopia123 Thanks so much for your wonderful comments. I'm pleased that you enjoyed this!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
As a descendant of many soldiers who fought in that war and others, I would like to extend my gratitude for sharing this wonderful recording. THANK YOU!!
blueshound007
blueshound007 1 year ago
As a descendant of many soldiers who fought in that war and others, I would like to extend my gratitude for sharing this wonderful recording. THANK YOU!!
blueshound007 1 year ago
@blueshound007 You are most welcome. Thanks for the great comments.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
This is amazing! I have to agree, it definitely is moving and what a treasure indeed! Thanks for sharing :)
XiaoWei666 1 year ago
@XiaoWei666 Thank you for the great comments!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Wow, and I was plenty thrilled to hear Theodore Roosevelt and Ernest Shackleton on wax cylinder. This was really a treat, thanks.
XavierNinnis 1 year ago
@XavierNinnis Thanks so much for your kind comments! Good to hear that you are enjoying my videos!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
"History of Will co. Illinois" by August Maue states that Lauren Higby had 5 children.
samara31jp 1 year ago
Born 1842 Otesego NY. Enlisted 1863 Co. A 1st NY Light Artillery. Discharge 1865, moved to Ill. became house decorator and artist. Daughter Mabel Higby born 1879, a musician. They recorded this Nov. 1927. He was also known as Laurentine Higby on Civil War Pension. Died 3 Jan 1930.
samara31jp 1 year ago
@samara31jp Thanks for sharing this interesting information. I've often wondered if there are any surviving relatives of Mr. Higbie who would have any additional information.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
@samara31jp
SOME OF HIS EXTENDED FAMILY STILL LIVES IN THE SAME UPSTATE NY REGION - OTSEGO COUNTY - OF WHICH I AM ONE. THANKS FOR PUTTING THE VIDEO UP!!
BruceMcGowan1 1 year ago
Do you have the lyrics posted for this somewhere?
akoerger 1 year ago
@akoerger The words appearing in the video as Mr. Higbie is singing represent my interpretation of what Mr. Higbie is singing. These are all that I have posted.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
@MusicBoxBoy Watched it on my iPhone and the lyrics didn't show. They do on my computer - thanks.
akoerger 1 year ago
beautiful
bigbadge107 1 year ago
i fukin cried
daytonalol121 1 year ago
Beautiful. Thanks so much for this rarity. I will be subscribing.
WormYourHonor64 1 year ago
@WormYourHonor64 Thanks!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
What a treasure!! Thank you so much for taking the time/effort to post.
MyPicklepie 1 year ago
@MyPicklepie You are very welcome. Thanks for the nice comments!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
thank you for posting this-you have a real treasure there!
rainharper62 1 year ago
@rainharper62 You're very welcome. And thank YOU for the nice comments.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
btw...didn't have enough room left to write more, but i just want to add that i pressed the like button and i will add you to my subscribe list and greetings from Sweden! I also hope that Mr. Higbie had a good life after the war and that he had a large family with many grandchildren.
KEGST 1 year ago
@KEGST Thanks very much!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
I really liked listening to the clip. It really moved me when i heard him singing. it felt like he had a sadness in his voice. I wonder what he thought of the world and the US in 1927, how it had progressed from the end of the Civil War, if it had turned out the way the ones who fought in the civil war thought it would be. I'm a sucker for history, like, lock me up in a room full of history books and i will be fine, so i would really have liked to meet Mr. Higbie and listened to his lifestory.
KEGST 1 year ago
@KEGST Thanks for your interesting and thoughtful comments. I really enjoy history as well and am a huge fan of history documentaries.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Thank you from a vet who appreciates history and your post.
em23 1 year ago
@em23 And I thank you for the nice comments. I'm always pleased to see comments like yours. Stop back again soon.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
i always think the civil war was so long ago that even the language must have been different. happy to report that i understood every word, though i wonder if his accent was different from a modern upstate ny'er
clb393 1 year ago
What a beautiful way of preserving the memory of these soldiers and their sacrifice so long ago.
amiedetherese 1 year ago
Can hardly describe how listening to this voice from the past makes me feel. A real participant and not a reenactor, a song I have never heard before (not one of the five or six that are sung over and over) and a sensitive and moving performance. Thank you Mr. Higbie, Electra Records and MusicBoxBoy for adding this piece of art and history to my life.
McGrenzer 1 year ago
@McGrenzer You are very welcome and thank you for such moving comments. I'm pleased that this recording has been so well received and sincerely appreciated. It's refreshing to know that there are many others including yourself who are equally moved by this recording as I have been since I first listened to it.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
You are very welcome. Thanks very much for posting this record. It's a truly important and poignant bit of history. BTW, the craftsmanship of that phonograph horn is absolutely amazing.
MrCtheG 1 year ago
The History of Will County, Illinois includes an extensive bio on Lauren Higbie and family. He was born 31 March 1842 in Ostego County NY. Family name at times also spelled Higby. He was a member of Company A, 1st NY Light Artillery. He was discharged 28 June 1865 at Elmira NY, and moved to IL, KS and back to IL. Was a resident of Will County since 1870, working as an artist, landscape painter and decorator. His daughter Mabel was a music teacher. This record & another were made Nov. 1927.
MrCtheG 1 year ago
@MrCtheG Thanks for sharing this information.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
How erie, the spirit of a past soul. Hauntingly beautiful on his long march of life. Lay at rest oh Grand Army of the Republic, your duty is done.
Ripley44mag 1 year ago
Wonderful. From a Navy Vet serving in Italy. Thanks!
video951 1 year ago
@video951 You're very welcome and thank you for the nice comments. Stop by again anytime.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Wow! What a find! Thank you so much for sharing this. You can hear the emotion in his voice. Very special.
b1p0l4rt 1 year ago
I really enjoyed your recording. My mom used to tell me about watching the old veterans march in the parades. When she died, we buried her next to her grandmother and grandfather--he a Union veteran of four years service. The adjacent row of graves are a line of Union veterans, and on either side of them, old seige cannon forged in 1862. It's funny, but I draw a great deal of comfort from the fact that Mom is guarded forever by the strong line of those old veterans. Thank you again!
delrikki 1 year ago
How cool to hear the voice of a civil war veteran! What a wonderful piece of history you have. It's interesting to hear how he describes his endeavor and think of what it is like living today in the states.
raffters 1 year ago
Thank you! This is a voice that is forever still and which speaks for a generation that most only think of as fuzzy black and white images in photographs. The truth is that they were real flesh and blood people with aspirations hopes and uncertainties jsut like us.
What a rare treasure.
Skytroop 1 year ago
@Skytroop You are very welcome. Your comments are sincerely appreciated and I surely agree with you. I'm hoping that my recent efforts in posting what I feel are the words that Mr. Higbie is singing are included in the video. It seems that sometimes when I play the video myself I see them sometimes and sometimes I don't. I would appreciate hearing from you and others on this. Thanks again for your comments.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
how touching
meow98 1 year ago
Amazing and poignant recording. What a treasure. You bless us by sharing it. I don't suppose you can offer a transcript of the lyrics? I am straining to understand all of the words, and I really want to know them all . . .
darkflower2 1 year ago
@darkflower2 Per your request and those of others I have added my interpretation of Mr. Higbie's words to the video. Thanks for your comments and interest.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
@MusicBoxBoy Oh thank you so much! Wonderful!
darkflower2 1 year ago
Thank you so very much for sharing such a treasure with the world.
shardbarger 1 year ago
@shardbarger You are very welcome. I'm pleased that you stopped in and posted the nice comment.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Thanks for posting and sharing this rare document! I wonder what may be on the reverse side?
Cheers from Germany
dabsy1 1 year ago
@dabsy1 Thanks for your comments. I'm hoping to post the reverse side of this record in the near future.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Thanks for a great post and that is a nice looking phonograph. : )
lendir1 1 year ago
@lendir1 You are most welcome and thank you for stopping in for a visit!
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
The voice of a man born in the first half of the nineteenth century...Indescribably incredible. As a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, whose direct ancestors served in the Orleans Artillery and Bienville Rifles, all aspects of that bloody sectional conflict enthrall me. Thank you very much for sharing.
GuinevereJuliet 1 year ago
@GuinevereJuliet You're welcome! And thank you for stopping in and taking the time to post such nice comments. It is supportive comments like yours that make this well worth the effort.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
This is absolutely fantastic! What a treasure to have in your collection. This is history. Excellent find.
MacCoinneach 1 year ago
@MacCoinneach Thanks so much for your encouraging and thoughtful comments! It's great for me to see the nice responses to this recording. Stop in again anytime.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
wow, this is truly unique. great post.
snappy452 1 year ago
Thanks snappy! Stop in again anytime.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Radiofree, it may have been bad but it wasn't a nazi death camp
Acemarksman20 1 year ago
This almost makes me cry.
wasp9 1 year ago
this is kinda haunting in a way.
1991750 1 year ago
I have a great great great grandfather who fought in the Civil War. He was captured and died at Andersonville prison camp, were conditions were similar to a Nazi concentration camp. We have the last letter he sent before he died. This song made me think about him. Usually when we think about veterans, we think about those who are still around, but we often forget about those who fought in wars long ago.
RadioFreeWisconsin 1 year ago
Bingo! I found him. Lauren F. Higbie served as a private in the Army of the Patomac!Battery A, 1st New York Light Artillery.
SageofHistory 1 year ago
That is AWESOME that you found this information on Mr. Higbie! Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us. I would also be interested in seeing the lyrics to this song as several of the words are not distinct. I'm sure others would appreciate it as well if you can find them somewhere. Thanks again for the information.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
To think this is the voice of a man who fell into line when the war drum beat. A man who may have voted for Lincoln, or stood his ground at Gettysburg, or a thousand other hallowed grounds. This is astonishingly wonderful. I thank you so very much for posting this,,, on my birthday no less. Do you or does anyone else know Mr. Higbie's service record?
SageofHistory 1 year ago
Thank you for posting the wonderful comments on my video! I'm pleased that you enjoyed this. I have always been very moved by this recording as well. I don't have any service record or other information on Mr. Higbie but perhaps in time a family member or relative watching and listening will be able to help. Thanks again for your comments.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
@MusicBoxBoy I couldn't find Higbie and a Google for the song turned up nothing, but in an old Washington Post from July 10, 1904 it states the song was written by Chaplain John Hogarth Lozier and it was dedicated to John A. Logan, a Union General who survived the war but passed away in 1886. The song on the occaision of the writing was being sung at a monument dedication of the 122nd New York Volunteers.
SageofHistory 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this. I wish Mr Higbie were still around to tell us his tales. Thanks to you his song is being played worldwide. I'll bet he would have never imagined it.
Brown1286 1 year ago
I sincerely appreciate your comments. I also share your feelings of wishing to hear more of his life as a Civil War soldier. It would be fascinating. Thanks for your comments.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this rarity. As a longtime collector, I have never seen an Electra record, let alone this recording. Cheers to you and the Higbies.
sfca925 1 year ago
You are very welcome. When I found this record years ago and first listened to it I was hoping that someday I would be able to share it with those who, like me, would have a sincere appreciation for it. I thank you for your encouraging comments.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
That was outsanding, thank you!
TF1951 1 year ago
Goodness - how poignant.
In a way, it really wasn't that long ago, was it?
I hope we've all become a little wiser due to the Civil War.
(I have a grapeshot and a Civil War Union coat button, and holding these things in my hands fills me with emotion and wonder.)
rennyminou 1 year ago
Great comments! Thank you for stopping in for a visit.
MusicBoxBoy 1 year ago
Special finds like this are what make sites like Youtube so worthwhile. thanks so much for posting this one of a kind recording. This one would be well worth digitalizing to preserve for future generations as I highly doubt that there are many copies of it left in existance.
ratz671 2 years ago
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I would agree with you. My guess is that only a small handful of these were pressed and likely distributed to family members and possibly local shops. Survivors would certainly be extremely rare. Thanks for stopping in.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
Beautiful tribute to the cause of the Union soldier, and of the sacrfices made for, as the song says, "The salvation of our nation". As their comrades stepped out of march, to meet their maker, Union civil war veterans became increasingly sentimental, knowing that each of them faced the same fate. Read the texts of GAR encampment notes for more insights. Thank you very MUCH for sharing this lovely, touching song. This veteran had a fine voice for 85 years.
white89euro 2 years ago
Thank you very much for your very thoughtful and informative comments. It's very refreshing to receive comments like yours.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
Words cannot describe how utterly amazing this find is...
MrXnews 2 years ago
Thank you so much for your gracious comment.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
What a treasure. It is so incredibly moving and heavy. Just to even imagine Mr. Higbie's experience is beyond my comprehension. Thank you so much. This really moved me on this snowy day.
goldenlady1983 2 years ago
You are very welcome, goldenlady1983! I have always been deeply moved by this recording as well. Thanks for stopping in and please come back again soon.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
Wow, I never in a million years would have though I would be listening to a man, who fought in the civil war. I am most grateful that you posted this.
isamtator 2 years ago 14
Thank you for your gracious comments. Stop back again anytime.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
Thank you! I would never have thought I would hear the voice of such a man as this. You were wise to have found and saved this record, and kind to share it with us.
maytagtwin 2 years ago 9
My pleasure. It's very gratifying to hear from people like you who take the time to post such encouraging and gracious comments. One of these days I would like to post the other side of this record which is by the same Civil War veteran. Thank you for stopping in for a visit.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
wonderful. I appreciate the way you love your old records. Very nice of you. God bless people like you. And your victor gramophone is a treasure to behold. Keep it up.
roxiereuben 2 years ago 2
Thanks so very much for your wonderful comments! Please stop back anytime!
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
Very clear for an early 78 for sure! Recordings like this need to be preserved! Is the Victorola Horn made out of wood? or just painted that way? Thanks for sharing it!
vinylelvis1 2 years ago
Thanks for your gracious comments. I agree with you that rare recordings such as this should be preserved. I have played this example only a handful of times and keep it very secure in a temperature controlled environment. The horn is an original Victor Talking Machine horn made of oak. You are very welcome anytime and thanks again for stopping in.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
What a fascinating and special recording. Appreciate the chance to hear it.
racheleleeba 2 years ago
Thank you so much for your gracious comment!
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago
Thank you for posting this...
To hear the voice of a civil war vet is such a treasure!
RagtimeFreak86 2 years ago
Thanks for your wonderful comments, RagtimeFreak86. Recognizing that recordings like this may have a rather limited audience it's both refreshing and encouraging to hear from appreciative viewers like you. Thanks again for stopping in and taking the time to post your comment.
MusicBoxBoy 2 years ago