Charles Cardwell McCabe

McCabe was credited by Julia Ward Howe as having popularized her famous piece "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" after his imprisonment by the Confederates in Libby Prison during the Civil War.

[1] Charles was born October 11, 1836, in Athens, Ohio, on the same day as bishop Isaac Wilson Joyce, another Ohio-born M.E.

Only years later did he learn that she had been advised by a local leading minister that her wealth would tarnish the reputation of young McCabe, who clearly was destined for greatness with his forceful, joyful manner, good looks and sanctified air.

His career was built on his charisma as a popular and entertaining speaker and a singer with rich baritone and sparkling manner.

Along with the lyrics to this newly written song was a notation telling readers it should be sung to the tune of "John Brown's Body Lies A-Mouldering In His Grave."

Later, at a meeting of the United States Christian Commission in the U.S. Capitol, he greatly impressed Lincoln, who was in attendance along with many members of Congress.

[2] About his visit to the Capitol, Jule Ward Howe's daughter Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards wrote: "Among other stirring tales, he told of the scene in Libby Prison; and once more, to a vast audience of loyal people, he sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

People sprang to their feet, wept and shouted and sang with all their might; and when the song was ended, above all the tumult was heard the voice of Abraham Lincoln, crying while the tears rolled down his cheeks, 'Sing it again!.

Bishop McCabe fell ill in New York City after a fundraising trip to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Torrington, Connecticut.