This song, which first appeared in the Worcester Spy around Thanksgiving 1861, was written to commemorate the death of Lt. John William Grout of the 15th Massachusetts Infantry, who was killed at the Battle of Ball's Bluff. Although it had been set to music at least once, it enjoyed no success until the famous George F. Root took it in hand and wrote this tune to accompany it.

The song was as popular in the Confederacy as it was up North and spawned at least three Southern versions.

"The Vacant Chair"