The photo of Johnny Horton playing guitar and singing to the last Veteran of the Civil war, has recently gone viral when people celebrated this musical legend’s birthday (April 30). It has been over 6 decades since his death and people always honor him in various ways each year.
Heartwarming Encounter Between Johnny Horton and Civil War Veteran
It is said that in a memorable publicity event, Horton visited the last survivor from the Civil War, Walter Washington Williams – a Confederate soldier who was 117 years old at the time in 1959.
However, the touching moment had a humorous start when his daughter accidentally cranked up his hearing aid too high. As soon as Horton began to sing, Williams instinctively grabbed for his ears, causing a grimace on his face. Initially, Horton thought the veteran did not like his song but once the issue with the hearing aid was resolved, they tried again. This time the veteran tapped his foot and was moved to tears by the heartfelt song.
Johnny Horton’s ‘Johnny Reb’: A Musical Tribute to Courage
Johnny Horton, an American country music and rockabilly singer, rose to fame for his unique style of semi-folk songs, often referred to as “saga songs.” His songs kickstarted a trend known as the “historical ballad” craze in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The song “Johnny Red”, which he sang to the last Veteran, holds a special place in the hearts of many.
What makes it special is its lyrics and how it was created. Johnny Horton wrote this song during a visit to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Inspired by a Confederate soldier statue he saw in his hotel room, he crafted the lyrics, unaware of the song’s future impact. “Johnny Reb” would later become one of America’s most iconic and beloved tunes that resonates with audiences around the world.
The song pays tribute to the courageous troops who fearlessly protected and fought for the country. They serve as an inspiration for countless Americans to follow in their footsteps. After its release, the song gained widespread recognition, particularly in the Southern states, where residents adopted it as their anthem of pride in their ancestry.
Some saw the song as a tribute to fallen soldiers, while others viewed it as glorifying racism and slavery. This sparked curiosity among more people, drawing in additional listeners eager to understand its message and melody.
The Final Days Of The Last Surviving Civil War Veteran
It is said that Walter Washington Williams, the last surviving veteran of the Civil War, spent his last days in his daughter’s home. He was blind, nearly deaf,rail-thin, and unable to leave his bed. According to reports, he served as a forage master for Hood’s Brigade in the Confederate army.
Despite his declining health, Walter was determined to live longer to witness the 100th anniversary commemoration of the American Civil War, which would begin in 1961. “I’m going to wait around until the others are gone,” he said, “to see what happens.” Sadly, he couldn’t see it.
On his last birthday, Walter Williams savored his favorite meal of barbecued pork, fed to him by his daughter and a nurse.
His bed was piled high with cards and telegrams, but he could no longer read or handle them. He could hardly pick them up. “I’m tired of staying here,” he complained in his son’s ear. His son just responded with a reassuring smile.
Death approached as he lay in a state of near-comatose in the back room of his daughter’s Houston home in December 1958. His frail body had endured numerous battles with pneumonia, with oxygen tents becoming a familiar sight over his bed on two occasions. His daughter feared the worst. “There’s too many years; too many miles,” she said.
As the clock wound down on Walter Williams’ life, it marked not just the passing of a person, but the end of an entire generation, a chapter in American history characterized by four years of brutal civil war.
Walter Williams breathed his last at the remarkable age of 117 in Houston, Texas, in December of 1959. His death prompted President Dwight D. Eisenhower to declare a day of national mourning, as Americans bid farewell to the last surviving veteran of the Civil War.
Despite some skepticism regarding the accuracy of the claim, Walter Williams’ legacy lives on in history. The “Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederacy” monument, located at the Gettysburg battlefield site and created by Donald De Lue, bears an inscription honoring Williams on the reverse of its base. This inscription commemorates Williams as the last surviving Confederate veteran, as recognized by the government of the United States, who passed away in 1959.