Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Literary
February 15, 1916
Daily Kennebec Journal
Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine
What is this article about?
Introduction to an anonymous 1839 ballad from the Aroostook War, found in Col. Charles Jarvis's papers. The verses rally Maine soldiers against British invasion, emphasizing defense of the frontier soil bought with ancestors' blood. Submitted by Mary Ann Greeley.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
BALLAD OF THE AROOSTOOK WAR"
(Bangor News)
The many readers of the News who enjoyed the old ballads of Maine collected by Prof. Roland P. Gray and published in your paper last summer may be interested in these verses that were among the papers of the late Col. Charles Jarvis of Ellsworth, who, in 1839, was appointed by Gov. Fairfield to take charge of the men on the Aroostook river after their commander, Mr. MacIntyre, had been kidnapped.
Another war with Great Britain seemed imminent and one of the men, whose name is not known, wrote these lines while sitting by the camp fire one winter night.
"Ye soldiers of Maine, your bright weapons prepare
On your frontier's arising the clouds of grim war
Your country's invaded, invaded the soil
Which your fathers have purchased with life-blood and toil.
Then Hail the British, does anyone cry?
"Move not the old landmarks," the settlers reply
For our sons of Columbia, are west of the line."
Mary Ann Greeley,
Ellsworth, Feb. 3.
(Bangor News)
The many readers of the News who enjoyed the old ballads of Maine collected by Prof. Roland P. Gray and published in your paper last summer may be interested in these verses that were among the papers of the late Col. Charles Jarvis of Ellsworth, who, in 1839, was appointed by Gov. Fairfield to take charge of the men on the Aroostook river after their commander, Mr. MacIntyre, had been kidnapped.
Another war with Great Britain seemed imminent and one of the men, whose name is not known, wrote these lines while sitting by the camp fire one winter night.
"Ye soldiers of Maine, your bright weapons prepare
On your frontier's arising the clouds of grim war
Your country's invaded, invaded the soil
Which your fathers have purchased with life-blood and toil.
Then Hail the British, does anyone cry?
"Move not the old landmarks," the settlers reply
For our sons of Columbia, are west of the line."
Mary Ann Greeley,
Ellsworth, Feb. 3.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Patriotism
War Peace
Liberty Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Aroostook War
Maine Ballad
Frontier Conflict
British Threat
Soldiers Maine
What entities or persons were involved?
Unknown Soldier (1839)
Literary Details
Title
Ballad Of The Aroostook War
Author
Unknown Soldier (1839)
Subject
Aroostook War Border Dispute With Britain
Form / Style
Patriotic Ballad In Verse
Key Lines
Ye Soldiers Of Maine, Your Bright Weapons Prepare
On Your Frontier's Arising The Clouds Of Grim War
Your Country's Invaded, Invaded The Soil
Which Your Fathers Have Purchased With Life Blood And Toil.