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Admiral Sampson's Victory March
Admiral Sampson's Victory March

Admiral Sampson's Victory March

Composer
Date1898
Object number00036392
NameSheet music
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 355 x 276 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis sheet music commemorates Admiral William Thomas Sampson's victory at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in July 1898 during the Spanish-American war. It features a portrait of the Admiral and four American flags. The song was written as a two step.HistoryThe Battle of Santiago de Cuba was fought between American and Spanish forces on 3 July 1898. It was the largest naval battle to be conducted during the Spanish-American war campaign and the American victory resulted in the loss of the entire Spanish fleet, Flota de Ultramar. Sheet music offers an insight into popular culture and social values at the time of their production. The widely distributed pieces were sold fairly cheaply, making them popular purchases with the general public. Music was an integral part of people's social life in the home and at public events such as balls, recitals, concerts and theatre shows. They are often nationalistic and patriotic in nature, attempting to celebrate and bind the community together through song.Significance'Admiral Sampson's victory march' demonstrates how sheet music was used to commemorate popular public figures and events in the 19th century. Pieces were often patriotic in nature and intended to generate national pride.