The Vacant Chair: A Blackstone Valley Historical Music Video

Historical music video of the 1861 ballad "The Vacant Chair" written by Henry S. Washburn and put to music by George Root. The poem was composed to honor the memory of Lt. Willie Grout, the youngest Union officer killed during the Civil War, 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. He was killed at the Battle of Ball's Bluff in October of 1861. The 15th Regiment was known as the Worcester County Regiment. Both Willie Grout and H. S. Washburn were Worcester residents. The video shows a poignant portrayal of a family receiving the news of their son's death in battle in the Civil War and the subsequent first Thanksgiving after his death. The music is performed by Pendragon, a noted Celtic band from the Blackstone Valley and the re-enactors are from Rhode Island Battery B Light Artillery and their families.