Kevin – Friday. At the dedication of Fort Moore, Pueblo de los Angeles Alta California on this day in 1847, Pvt Levi Hancock of the Mormon Battalion sang a ‘patriotic song’ as part of the fort’s dedication ceremonies.
From Dan Tyler’s ‘Concise History of the Mormon Battalion’ we find on pages 296-297 the following description of the July 4th 1847 celebrations at Los Angeles.
“On the 4th, the entire command of the place assembled under Colonel Stevenson, in the fort, at sunrise. The "Star-Spangled banner," was played by the New York volunteer band, while the colors were being raised. Nine cheers were given for the stars and stripes, and "Hail Columbia" was played by the band, after which thirteen guns were fired by the first dragoons. The companies were then marched back to their quarters.
At eleven a. m., the command was again called out, under arms, and the dragoons and the Battalion paraded inside the fort. Many Californians and Indians were present to witness the ceremonies. The Declaration of Independence was read by our worthy quartermaster, Lieutenant Stoneman, of the 1st dragoons, "Hail Columbia," was again played by the band, and Colonel Stevenson made a brief and appropriate speech, giving the fortification the name of Fort Moore, in honor of the brave Captain, whose unfortunate death has already been mentioned. The band then played "Yankee Doodle," followed by a patriotic song by Musician Levi W. Hancock, of the Battalion and a march tune by the band, after which Colonel Stevenson proposed to have the Declaration of Independence read, if the Californians desired it, in the Spanish language, but the offer was respectfully declined.
The soldiers were each treated to a glass of wine, marched to their quarters, and dismissed. Thus ended the ceremonies of the day.”
The lyrics to this song have been somewhat of a mystery but Levi’s son, Mosiah Lyman Hancock, provided the following information:
“This season we went up to Far West to celebrate the Fourth of July. Sidney Rigdon was the orator of the day. Just the day before the celebration the Prophet Joseph asked father to compose a song. He worked on it much in the night and had it ready for the occasion. Uncle Solomon Hancock helped father sing this song on the southeast corner stone of the Far West temple. The stone was there, but was afterwards laid by the twelve apostles on April of the following year.
SONG OF FREEDOM by Levi Ward Hancock, July 3, 18— [38]. It is as follows:”
Kevin here: Try singing it to the tune of ‘We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet.’
