JINE THE CAVALRY

The theme-song of General J.E.B. Stuart’s famous cavalry is attributed to the leader of his camp band and banjoist, Sam Sweeney. This signature song, the words possibly penned by Stuart himself, was “Jine the Cavalry”. Though the composer is uncertain, it is thought to have been adapted by Sweeney, who, after enlisting in the cavalry in 1862, soon came to the general’s attention and suddenly found himself a member of Stuart's staff and his personal minstrel troupe.

As Burke Davis wrote in his great biography of Stuart, “JEB Stuart - the Last Cavalier”,
“Stuart must have more music.…there was always music. Sweeney on the banjo, Mulatto Bob on the bones, a couple of fiddlers […] Sweeney rode with Stuart on the outpost day and night. Stuart often sang and Sweeney plucked the strings behind him. . . . “

One of Stuart’s most trusted staff officers, Heros Von Borcke, recalled In 1866, in his Memoirs of the Confederate War for Independence, that Stuart was “…always the gayest and noisiest of the party... usually the festivities closed with the famous song... Jine the Cavalry.”

And from the Charleston Mercury in Jan. of 1863: “…Are your readers aware that Gen. J.E.B. Stuart carries with him wherever he goes, in all his circuits and raids, a brother of Joe Sweeney, the famous banjo player? Such is the fact. […] He carries his banjo behind his saddle, wrapped up in a piece of oil- cloth, and whenever the cavalry stop, even to water their horses, the band strikes up on the banjo and picks a merry air.”

The structure and melody of the song is ‘borrowed’ from the chorus of an older, early-minstrel stage favorite, "Down in Alabama", believed to have been composed by Sam's older brother, Joel. Sam was the younger brother to Joel ‘Joe’ Sweeney, who greatly popularized the banjo beginning in the mid-1800’s, and went on to become leader of the world-famous 1845 touring group, the Virginia Minstrels.
The lyrics of “Jine the Cavalry” tell the story of many of Stuart’s adventures and exploits. The song soon became the ‘anthem’ of the dashing Confederate cavalry leader, who, when not actively fighting Yankees, loved good music, singing and dancing.

A member of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, Sam Sweeney died in camp, on January 13, 1864.

[uniquellama]

You know it's a good day when the 2nd South Carolina Strings Band posts a video.

[zuzanahessova]

Greetings from Europe. You made me happy.

[staceya]

Who wouldn't want to join the cavalry after hearing this?! Sign me up, boys!

[Alexander-ddrg]

You know there's something wrong with the world when this has almost 3000 views in 24 hours and sexual pop/degenerate music videos get hundreds of thousands or millions in less than 24 hours
God bless you! you're doing fantastic work

[serbianchromus]

Most of my family claims that this isn't history, but instead hate. But this is beautiful, heritage not hate. god bless the 2nd South Carolina String Band!

[lewiemcneely]

I ended up in the Cavalry in 1971 through an in-country transfer. I was in RVN at the time. It was blamed interesting. Now to listen to this again. I liked the little gal with the bow in her hair. She is definitely home folks. A-PLUS from your buddy a little to the North but not THAT far North! GBWYall!

[atheodorasurname]

My mother was from a family in Kentucky that stayed neutral in the Civil War and were also against involvement in foreign wars. She used to sing a version of this opposing the first World War that, as I recall, went "I don't want to march with the infantry, ride with the cavalry, shoot with the artillery. I don't want to fly over Germany. I just wanna be friends."

[zbieramnakartonowyprzycisk]

Love this song! Love this band! Long Life 2nd South Carolina String Band!

[chrisstevens]

God bless the south and this band for keeping the culture alive!

[jackmurphy]

The violin is one of the best sounding instruments ever !!

[EnVagyok]

"Southerners" should never give up their pride and identity! THEY ARE THE REAL AMERICANS! Greetings from Hungary! ☝️✝️🇭🇺🙏💪👍

[HistoryBoy]

Wonderful footage of this concert! Far superior in both editing and shots! Magnificent work and I look forward to our next partnership.

[thitsugaya]

My many times great grandfather was a cavalryman, a Sargent in the 29th Texas Cavalry CSA.

[snedler]

I'm from Denmark and I love you guys.
Sry but you are fuckin* awesome
Keep on playing music for me😄
Giving me good mood
Thank you so much!
Hugs✌🖒

[AmericanMilitaryHistory]

Another one of my favorites, God Bless JEB Stuart!

[americanmilitiaman]

My great x4 grandfather was in the 45th Virginia infantry. Daniel Eli stockner. He passed 13 years before my grandpa was born. I have alot of info about him and copies of orignal documents. My great x 4 grandpa on my dads fathers side fought for south Carolina. Unfortunately not alot of info other than his family came from scotland in the early 1700s

[eisenmannhans]

Wonderful !
Greetings and many thanks from Berlin/Germany, and from my dear girlfriend Flicka from ?

[nick.s.c]

I've had a rough day, nothing to help me relax and settle in like a video from you guys!

[tanczacyzwilkami]

I regret that CSA didn't won the civil war but THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!

[nomadpi]

Wonderful Folksongs from the 19th Century. Anyone who claims this band sings racist music are the racists. Those who claim others are racists are the true racists. A racists first reaction is name-calling. Fabulous work Gentlemen.