CLICK HERE TO
BUY Thunder from a Clear
Sky
The song Rebel
Partisan with
permission from Terry Warren
This is a song about one of
Adam Johnson's earliest recruits, Jake Bennett. Bennett was
one of the young soldiers who refused to join Johnson when
he was recruiting in June 1862 because he thought Johnson
was too young. He joined Johnson in July and was likely one
of the Newburgh raiders. I interviewed the song writer
behind Rebel
Partisan, Mr. Terry Warren. The song (mp3) is
directly below and the interview is published below the
song file. Just click the mp3 below to hear the song:
THE INTERVIEW
RM:
Few people know about Johnson's Partisan Rangers and fewer
still know about Jake Bennett's raid on Owensboro. How did
you learn about it and what inspired you to write about?
Mr.
Warren: I first learned of the raid from word of
mouth from my grandfather, when I was a young boy. His
grandfather rode under Jake Bennett's command in Co. A,
10th KY Partisan Rangers and participated in the raid. The
simple fact that I had an ancestor who participated in such
a daring undertaking was all the inspiration I needed.
RM:
You are a man of many accomplishments both musical and
charitable. Could you talk a little about what you've been
doing to honor Civil War memories?
Mr.
Warren: Sir; I thank ya'll for your most kind words.
I haven't accomplished nearly as much as I would have liked
in either the music or my heritage work. My family and I,
as well as the "Border Ruffian Band", have traveled
extensively across the country, but mostly the Midwest and
the South, performing WBTS period music for Memorials and
cemetery fundraisers, as well as memorial services for CSA
veterans in my duties as a Heritage Officer in the Sons of
Confederate Veterans. I have been lucky enough to have been
invited to speak on my Confederate ancestors, red and white
alike, as well as participating in some living histories.
It is safe to say that I have donated several hundred CDs
over the past few years to be used as raffle and auction
items in memorial preservation fundraisers and such. My
family and I have personally undertaken the duty to
maintain the several Confederate graves that exist in our
county, as well as surrounding counties. We have also
cleaned up several forgotten Union veterans' graves as
well. I have worked one on one with the SUVCW (Sons of
Union Veterans of the Civil War) in heritage and memorial
issues. I am very happy to say there is, for the most part,
a good working relationship between the SCV and the SUVCW.
I do not really consider these charitable acts, but prefer
to think of them as duties owed to these venerable American
veterans. America (in my opinion) has lost far too much of
its history already, and our veterans are rapidly being
forgotten as the world rushes along at warp speed in day to
day life. I think it would be a travesty to all who served
and gave their all in the bloodiest conflict ever upon
American soil if the memory and memorials of their
escapades were to be lost. That of course is just one man's
opinion.
RM:
How did your interest in the Civil War and your interest in
music first come together in the formation of your current
career?
Mr.
Warren: I have been a muscian/performer/songwriter
since 1967, basically the folk/rock/ and blues generes. I
had purchased over the years several WBTS period music
projects from various artists. By happen chance I played
some of these other artists' CDs for my booking agent; she
in turn suggested that I entertain the idea of writing and
recording such a CD. So I did......the first Border Ruffian
Band CD "Wanted" was nominated for four (4) Beacon Music
Awards, and it won single of the year for the song "Border
Ruffians." We followed up that CD with "Southron Steel"
last year and received a record breaking six (6)
nominations. We won three (3) more Beacon Awards, and
placed runner up in the three (3) remaining categories. My
"Copperheads" project was also nominated for three (3)
awards and took runner up in all three categories. The past
couple of years have been some of the best in my near forty
(40) year music career.
My thanks to songwriter, performer, and preservationist
Terry Warren of the Border Ruffian Band. If you would like
to know more about his music go here
