_Yankee Doodle_ (Vol. iv., p. 344.).--During the attacks upon the French
outposts in 1755 in America, Governor Shirley and General Jackson led
the force directed against the enemy lying at Niagara and Frontenac. In
the early part of June, whilst these troops were stationed on the banks
of the Hudson, near Albany, the descendants of the "Pilgrim fathers"
flocked in from the eastern provinces; never was seen such a motley
regiment as took up its position on the left wing of the British army.
The band played music some two centuries of age, officers and privates
had adopted regimentals each man after his own fashion; one wore a
flowing wig, while his neighbour rejoiced in hair cropped closely to the
head; this one had a coat with wonderful long skirts, his fellow marched
without his upper garment; various as the colours of the rainbow were
the clothes worn by the gallant band. It so happened that there was a
certain Dr. Shuckburgh, wit, musician, and surgeon, and one evening
after mess he produced a tune, which he earnestly commended as a
well-known piece of military music, to the officers of the militia. The
joke succeeded, and Yankee Doodle was hailed by acclamation "their own
march." During the unhappy war between the American colonies and the
mother country, that quaint merry tune animated the soldiers of
Washington; it is now the national air of the United States.