The Xenia sentinel. [volume] (Xenia [Ohio]) 1863-186?, 1863-12-15
zone Crave"

We marched across the stormy isle with strong and
fearless tread,
Though worn with toll and scantily supplied with
Warfare-bread
No ztimulant but blood that burned our suffering
race to save
Following with joy our youthful chief to freedom
or the grave.
The post Of honor he had clnimod-that post for
Us had won
To lead the van at Deaths right hand where blood
estdeeds are done;
Foremost to pay OPpressiOn's debt-agss Of lash
and chain
With the fierce cross of bayOnet the muskets
deadlyrain.
Six hundred yards from Wagners fort the stOrming
parties rest,
High courage kindling every eye and arming eve
~ breast
your manhood's worth;
Follow my path through life or death! Forward
the Fifty-fourth !"
Then poured upon the daunHess heads Of our ad-
vaneing band
A FIRE more dread than rained Of yOre on sodOm's
fated land
From sumter's underwriting throat from Wag
ner's death-fraught hold,
From batteries near and points remote the iron
deluge rolled:
sulphurous flames from countless guns iIlumed the
grim night air
No ftfuI fash, but blazing on with one continuous
glare
We staggered nOt-we halted not for wounded
friend or dead
Through scOurging shell and Kissing shot toward
the fee we sped.
Onward, my boys |" our leaders voice rings cheer
lily Ger the storm
'rWeTl gain the parapst and there your shattered
ranks reformj
Onward, my friends, my heroes, come, for every
human right
For kindred, country, hearth and home, honor aad
freedom, ight!"
Rushing, as lions spring through fire, We gain the
parapet
In view of all the rebel crew the starry banner set
Now, hand to hand" our leader cries, "what
though some brave men faII2
Above their grave that flag shall wave which frees
and guards US AM"
Onward" All ne! I saw him lie beside me
where IfeIl,
While believing Ger US sbrieked and rOarod the
laundering bolts Of he'll
From sumter's treason-tainted walls, from Wag
ner's sand-built hold,
Through files Ofliving, piles Of dead the fiery tenn
pest rolled.
strOvo to grasp his gallant hand-tO ruise his
head once rore-
Onward" That word had cleared his way to
the eternal shore.
What hopes went down with him But yet no step
we backward gave;
Our blood was pledged to him-with him-fOF free
dom or the grave.
Around him drew the rebel crew with curse and
gibe and jeer.
aThat Yankee dog g!-we'n bury him beneath his
negroes dear;
WeTdig a pit for tEenty-One, and him the lowest
lay,
A score Ofblacks above his head to keep him down
for aye"
o. glorious grave! what monument Of marble rich
and fair
Can with that wealth of loyal blood and faithful
hearts compare
''lBro perennius'-saorum sit No tomb beneath
the sun
Shall true men honor more than that which holds
the twenty-One.
Ere perennius " They shall live in many
deathless song
RenOWn shall lift their names from out the unnamed
heroic thrOng,
Embalmod with their devoted chief in everlasting
fame
hat nObIsr resting-plaoe than his could saint or
hero claim2
ERE peronnius - Monuments rook-sculpturod
fade away,
But there are deeds whose praise shall live through
heavens uneIOsing day.
Martyrs for Truth and Right Divine to God your
souls ye gave,
And pledged your blOOd-and kept the pledge-fOr
freedom or the grave. An.