David Kincaid - Lead & Harmony Vocals, Piano, Liz Knowles - Violin
This song, composed in 1864 by the great songwriter/publisher George F. Root, is, for my part, one of his most moving. A heartfelt tribute to Col. James A. Mulligan, commander of 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry (a.k.a. the “Chicago” or “Illinois Irish Brigade”), it seems to have been largely overlooked by history, while several of his other pieces, such as “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” or “Tramp, Tramp,” Tramp,” have become forever etched into the history of the American Civil War. The same might be said of Col. Mulligan and his regiment, whose sterling fighting record has often been overshadowed by other events and units from the war.
The lyric is attributed to one “Paulina,” believed to have sent it to a local Chicago newspaper upon learning of Col. Mulligan’s death. Coming to the attention of Mr. Root, he then composed music, arranged it into a piano and four-part vocal harmony format (extremely popular in that era), and published it through his own company, Root & Cady, Chicago.
Born June 30, 1830 to Irish immigrant parents in Utica, NY, James Adelbert Mulligan lost his father at a young age, his mother later moving with her son to Chicago. There he graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake, was admitted to the bar in 1856, and enlisted in a local militia company, the “Chicago Shield Guards,” being commissioned 2nd lieutenant. With the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861, Col. Mulligan raised the 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, being commissioned its commanding officer.
The bravery and steadfastness of Col. Mulligan and his Irish boys cannot be overstated. They firmly established themselves as a hard-fighting unit early on at the Battle of Lexington, Missouri, Sept. 13, 1861. Eight days the battle raged, Col. Mulligan and his men gallantly holding their ground until it became clear they had no chance of defeating the overwhelming numbers of Confederate General Sterling Price’s forces. Though forced to surrender, Gen. Price was so impressed with Col. Mulligan’s conduct, that, following being paroled for exchange, he offered him his own carriage, having him safely escorted to Union lines.
Following their exchange, Col. Mulligan and the 23rd Illinois continued to have one of the toughest fighting reputations in the Union Army. Tragically, it would all end for Col. Mulligan on July 24, 1864 at the 2nd Battle of Kernstown (near Winchester, VA). Again being outnumbered and surrounded, Col. Mulligan this time was hit with five Minié balls by Confederate sharpshooters, his men endeavoring to carry him to safety. Aware that they were on the verge of being completely engulfed, Col. Mulligan sternly ordered his men to “lay me down, and save the flag.” When his men hesitated, he repeated his order, and this time they obeyed, being forced to abandon him to the Rebels. He died two days later on July 26, 1864, in Confederate hands.
Col. James A. Mulligan was buried with full military honors on August 2, 1864, in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Ill. Initially laying under a small government-issue headstone, the city and state would later raise the funds to have the moving, imposing monument erected to him that still stands today. This was dedicated 20 years after the war’s end, on Decoration Day (now Memorial Day), May 31, 1885, in an emotional ceremony that included an impressive array of local dignitaries, the Colonel’s family, and surviving members of his beloved regiment, the Irish boys of the 23rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The ceremony concluded with a performance of this
song, and the last inscription on his monument reads, fittingly: “Lay Me Down and Save the Flag.”
On February 20, 1865, the United States Senate posthumously awarded Col. Mulligan the rank of Brevet Brigadier General, dating from July 23, 1864, the day before he was mortally wounded. While there are those who, to their infinite disgrace and shame, would disparage such a man as a “loser and sucker,” the rest of us will honor his service, and revere his memory as the great Irish-American hero and patriot that he truly was.
Esta grabación es dedicada a la memoria de me querido hermano, el Capitán Juan de Dios Jessel Pérez, 1953-2024. Que descanse en paz.
This recording is dedicated to the memory of my beloved brother, Captain Juan de Dios Jessel Pérez, 1953-2024. May he rest in peace.
Produced, engineered and arranged by David Kincaid at Studio 19, New York, NY (2008), Logan Sound Studio, Staten Island, NY (2024), and McCormick Sound, Staten Island, NY (2025).
Copyright ℗ & © 2025 by David Kincaid, Haunted Field Music
LAY ME DOWN AND SAVE THE FLAG
Words by “Paulina.” Music by Geo. F. Root
1. They arose, whose name was Legion, As an overwhelming wave,
And the battle surged its billows
Round a chosen few and brave;
And they neared the sacred banner, With their foul and flaunting rag, When the dying hero shouted, “Lay me down and save the Flag."
Chorus:
So he fell, the brave commander, Like the oak from mountain crag; But his last words still are ringing, “Lay me down and save the Flag."
2. To the Siroc of Secession,
They had bared the fearless brow– They had heard that voice and heeded– Could they hear and heed it now ?
But his heart is in the battle–
Shall the hallowed ensign drag,
While a hand is left to rescue ?
“Lay me down and save the Flag."
3. Then they looked at one another In the speechlessness of woe,
As each eye would ask a brother, Shall we stay, or should we go!

And again the sight was blasted By the traitor's boastful rag,
And again the word fell sternly, “Lay me down and save the Flag."
4. Oh, beloved, ye who murmur For the dear ones gone before,
For the manly son and brother, That may greet you never more; For the loving arm that shielded, For the hope whose pinions lag, Let the lips that quiver, falter, “Lay me down and save the Flag."
Last Chorus:
Slumber calmly, brave commander, Where thou art no pinions lag, Fame will bear thy words forever, “Lay me down and save the Flag."
Published by Root & Cady, Chicago 1864