Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-11-15

And must be by the discipline OF war.
Sometimes, its tru Q, the bugie calls to church,
AHd soldiers, not on guard. with one accord
Assemble in the chapel there to hear 4
The precious words OF life, to praise and pray a
And woman, gentle woman, lends her charms, !
And minglce her sweet voice In joyous hymn. !
Or in the barracks as the case may be-
While some inhrm or weary, keep their
hunks;
The chaplain breaks 10 them the bread of lie,
And some catch glimpses of the world to come,
Who meier perhaps had been TO church before
Sometimes good papers aud good books are
sent
For Sunday reading, by the Christian band,
The blest Commission, which, throughout tho
war, |
Has done more good than tongue can ever tell
Ga Sunday afternoon they stroll sometime
About the Fort, and view the prospect DER,
Look out upon the distant sea and scan
The far horizon long blue line, and watch
The ships, as they depart and come, upon
Their errands white winged messengers OF
peace.
And then from ships aud SEA they turn their
eyes
To quiet country seats along the shore.
And some can see their own beloved homes,
The fair, familiar scenes of boyhood days;
They see the patient cattle in the fields;
| The forms OF loved ones moving here aud |
| there. |
The windows OF their own we'll furnished
rooms.
Aud all those scenes engrsven Oh their heart,
And Sigh to think they cannot soon return.
On Sunday evenings, when there 10 no church,
The soldiers gather in small knots and bands
To sing ia chorus lions sacred songs.
The music of rich voices fills the air
holy calm pervades the troubled soul
There are occasions though but very few,
Ca which the soldier feels almost at home;
lis when 10 holds feast, invites his friends,
Gets Injuries from home, and ladies fair
Will condescend 10 come to visit him
Then spirits flow, those spirits which barn
mott
The soldiers act their parts right we'll,
AZ walters serve the ladies; and, almost,
Forget that they soldiers Tor they feel
That they are men, and human once again.
, These joys are shert, but they are sweet as
y short;
a They break the dull monotony OF life,
;, And help refine their natures rude and coarse
l. oftimes at midnight, when the isle is still
And naught lie heard, save now and then the
guard,
d Who cries a certain 'number-'VlgilaHt;'
The mournful moaning of the chilling WIND
Tho ftful dash OF breakers on the shore,
Sweet strains of music float upon the air,
Are waited to the aleeper's weary couch,
/, Aud mingle with long happy dreams of home.
These sersnaders are angels In disguisei
RetcAips OF blis5 conveyed to mortal ears
). Tue breath of Heaven to the parohed soul.
r There is company within the Fort
Composed of characters most singular;
They wear uniform OF by gone days,
Their name both far and near 10 Company Q
For various offences they are here
! No. haff mi
W Some drag heavy cannon ball attached
To their weak ankles, by an iron chain;
.lr Some draw the coal tie Regiment must use
Some eld tue hammer, mould the massive
ne, stone
Some place the heavy cannon OF the Fort
ls, Some ply the trades which they had learned
before;
Some serve as cooks, GONE walters some th'
lal while
Perform most mental services OF all
nd Some men OF talent are among these thronga
Wac, u-ed to gi,ing entertainments rare,
Employ themselves e'eH mere in this pursuit
motley crow d is gathered In the hall,
D. The General with all his aids Is here,
And anxious O1beetatiou regns supreme;
ala AT last the cutsain rises: Blacks appear,
Go through the varied forms of minetrelsy,
Retiring mid the loud applause OF all.
One raw, cold night, indeed twas bitter col
When mauy seniinels had been Withdrawn,
on, A few bold characters from out this band,
Escaped from their confinement In tho Fort
ton And left the island 10 leaky boat;
telv What e'er became Of them was never known
Twas thou ght they persisted In the Icy wave
~ Here comes a long procession from the wha
nge, W. ansr5sd ~ a sttona Rciant foros
u'- Some come disabled from the aeld OF strife;
.ca Some left their rank upon the CORY field
s.1.l1 20 hi NhatF oh do
e Some come from otAer prisons In the North
cal The rest were captured by the rules of war.
!, How fare these men, these prisoners OF wa
They live ia barracks inst as nice as those
I'd Which shelter Regiments to guard the isle.
nes Their food 10 wholesome, Gle and ad'q 81
5, They get all clothing sent them by tn
friends
And once month inspection striOt 10 ted,
And proper distribution then lie made.
They can pursue their various trades VII
here;
.0o' And thus they are soutened and 10 essh;
'su' While those whe have no other trade to ply
Carve gutta psrcha trinkets which they ssll
They are allowed TO exercise themselves
~ About the Island, under proper guard
I'' They have their own amusement sso here,
Hold concerts and have meetings when Il
shine wish,
Communicate with friends by word and pea
I'd - And altogether, lend an easy lite.
4 lew oil tutse nave seen luolF bhu misthhs
And taken, willingly the loyal oath;
They serve as soldiers In the battery;
As clerks In posts OF confidential trust
And make good officers upon this side.
In hospital the treatment they receive
ormsi ia lid "a gentla evsn In estrama.
lsno' Most skilled physician 10 attend each case
rd' And tender nurses filed with anxious care
". A steam boat full OF dainties Is dispatched
MN Each morning for the patients on the isle,
'ugat. Aud still they grumbls and are not sonter
How fare our prisoners in Southern dens ?
Ill., rhe pen refuses TO portray the scene,
And shrinks In horror from the dreadful
w Those victims who've survived the fell or
eau Have tales to tell Of those most loathsoms
That blansh the cheek and tresxe the very b
A,u' We leave these monster tends In human VI
'us' The perpetrators OF these awful crimes,
10 better hands than ours-their God q
Tivats meet
Their retribution in another world.
There are some prisoners whose freedom Q
oo. J In close confinement they drag out their
g. For overt acts Of treason they are here;
For preaching gainst the necessary war;
~. For helping rebels to escape their doom,
ae' Aud using means and influence for them
forge; There 20 the sh'psto Southern waters DO
ugh They pass tue homes from which these cap