“The Loyal Legion” (1890)

This march was written to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, an organization composed primarily of American Civil War officers and their descendants. The anniversary celebration was held in Philadelphia on April 15 and 16, 1890, and the U.S. Marine Band was ordered by the secretary of the navy to participate.

The piece is seldom played today, but the Loyal Legion uses it occasionally at its meetings. Much of the march appeared in Sousa’s operetta, The Queen of Hearts (1885).

Paul E. Bierley, The Works of John Philip Sousa (Westerville, Ohio: Integrity Press, 1984), 43. Used by permission.