Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-09-25
N CORA q. rAaER.

IT CORA n. xAexR.
Never mind me, uncle Jared, never mind ny
bleeding breast.
They are charging in the valley and you're
needed with the rest
AL the day through, from its davning till you
saw your hnsmsn fall,
You have answered, fresh and fearless, to our
brave commanders call,
And would not rob my country of your gal
liant aid tonight,
Though your presence and your pity stay my
spirit in its fight.
All along that quivering column. see the death
steed trampling down
Men whose deeds this day are worthy Of q
kingdom and Q crown;
Prithee hasten, uncle Jared, what's the bullet
in my breast
To that murderous storm Of fire raining tor
lures on the rest1
See the bayonets fash and fslter, the foe be-
gins to win,
See! seel our falling comrades! God, how the
ranks are closing in!
Hark! there's quickening in the distance and
sthundering in the air
Like the roaring of lion, just emerging from
his lair,
There's cloud Of something yondsr fast un-
rolling like scroll,
Quick quicktif it be suceor that can save the
came q soul!
Look! thousand thirsty bayonets are flashing
down the vale
And thousand hungry riders dsshing on
ward like gale.
Raise me higher, uncle Jared, place the ensign
in my hand
I am strong enough to float it, while Yeu
cheer that flying band;
Louder, louder! shout for Freedom with pro-
longed and vigorous breath,
Shout for LIBERTY and UNION and the
victery over death!
See they catch the stirring numbers and they
swell them to the breeze,
Cap and plume and starry banner waving
proudly through the trees.
Mark our fainting comrades rally! mark tht
dropping column risel
I can almost see the fire, newly kindled il
their eyes;
Fresh for conflict. nerved to conquer, see them
charging on the foe
Face TO face with deadly meaning, shot and
shell, and trusty blow;
See the thinned ranks wildly breaking, set
them scatter toward the sun!
] can die now, uncle Jared, for the glorious
day is won.
But there's something, something pressing
with a numbness on my heart,
And my lips with mortal dumbness fail the
burden To impaTt.
Oh tell Won, uncle Jared, there is something
back Of all
That soldier cannot part with when he heeds
his country's call!
Ask the Mother what, in dying, sends the
yearning spirit back
Over all life's broken marches where she's
pointed out the track
Ask the dear ones gathered nightly round the
shining household hearth
What 10 them is brighter, better than the
choicest things of earth7
Ask that dearer one whose loving, like {
eeaseless vestal flame,
Sets my very soul a-glowing at the mention O
her name
Ask her why the loved IN dying feels hel
spirit linked with his
In union death but strengthens-she viii
tell you what it is!
And there's something, uncle Jared, you MAJ
tell her, if you will,
That the precious flag she gave me have KEEP
unsullied still;
And-this touch of pride forgive me-wher
Death sought our gallant host,
Where our stricken lines were weakest, Their
It ever waved the most.
Bear it back, and tell her fondly, brighter
purer, steadier far
Mid the crimson. stripes of battle shone my
liie's unsetting star.
But ferbear, dear uncle Jared, when there'
something more 10 tell,
And her lips with rapid blanching, bid YoJ
answer how fell,
Teach your tongue the trick Of sighting
though it's faithful to the rest,
Lest it say her brothers bullet is the bullet il
my lreast;
But if it must be that she learn it despit.
your tender care,
Twill soothe her bleeding heart TO know my
bayonet pricked the air;
Life is ebbing, uncle Jared, my enlistment
endeth here,
Death the conquerer has drafted can no mort
volunteer
But hear the roll call yonder, and ! go with
willing feet
Through the shadows in the valley where vie
torious armies meet;
Raise the ensign, uncle Jared, let its deal
folds Ger me fall
Strength and Union for my country and GoD'l
banner over all!