The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-08-31
For the Pulaski Citisen.
The sword.
BY LILLIAN n.

NJ LILLIAN n.
a Ansh = On the manly cheek, fash in the bright
darE eye,
And ate4dy the hand that Lifts the sword, up toward
- the bending sky,
And the soft ar ripples the dark brown hair which
shades the open brow.
And preud smile wreaths the eurving lip, as he
bre2shs an earnest vow.
Twas my fathers sword, when years ago leap'd
RsEolution's fires,
LBpping With its flaming tongue, Columbia's peace
ful strand;
Hsin ks youthful zeal marched forth, with his loved
eountry's sires,
aud 'gainst the expressing British King, he nObly
Is enlisted in Golnmbia's ranks, his leader, Waah-
iDgtOn,
And he earlessly marched to the battlefield to the
sound of fife and drum,
Bright banners waved above them, triumphant O'er
the field,
As they trampled down the fOemen, to whom they
would not yield
The patriotic fires of old, burning in my breast
And now the wished-for time has come, when I my
strength may test;
Upon the field of contest, and in grim battle-line
III win as bright name he, in old Revolutions
time.
No fOeman's hand shall ever touch this gittsring,
polished blade,
Until DEATHS icy fingers upon-my heart is laid;
But it shall do good service-hearts shall cease &c
thrOb
Which now are usEn and pulsins-so help ne, oh
s my God 's.a
Pa leaving now my OhiIdbOOds home, to plunge
into the Aght--
Godhslpme to discern between the WTOng and right
Be Thou to shsltsr, Thy strong arm be nay
shield,
When in tie camp with comrades, or on tbs battle
field.
bid my happy home farewell, gladly turA away
Ny country calls upon me, I can no longer stay;
Coward and traitor ns'sr shall be- written against
my name,
Ny cheek shah ne'er in futuGs ysArs crimson with
= guilt and shsms.
Now on to the bAttleAald I'll speed, where silker
banners wave,
And there In bare my strong right arna, and strike
for mothers grave, -
Dear mother will not mourn for me, in angulsh anG
in pain,
Whilst far away Pm fighting, upon the combat plain
will strike boldly too, when shall meet, ''for tn
green graves of my sires,''
Tofolow in their footsteps my burning heart aspires
And shall raise proud, gIad snout, wnsn the mrs
victorious strain .. .
Floats around our banner, and sweeps far Ger tn
plain"
Two years have passed since the gallant youth lsf
for the scene of war,
scar,
To testify that he had done good service for his land
Since he left his peaceful cottage hOme and joiRsd
| the Southern band.
| He marched with 'stOnewan" jackson, on to him
| that fatal day,
And fearlessly he mingled, in the ChsnGeIlorsyiT,
| afray,
The bullet hurled to the earth his form, his glory.
dreams were Ger,
He'd never strike for his home again, he'd WELD hi
| sword no more. =. +
Zen in death his hand still grssped his faithful
| wsll-tried blade,
And by his side they laid it, in the grave which thsJ
! had made,
Near the banks of the old PotOmsc where the dash
ing river tide
Sings ever the soldiers requiem who for his country
| died.
The above lines record the hsrole death of 1t. RAY
| who braYely defended himself with the sword be
queathed to him by his father, Revolutionary sol.
| into the earth, breaking it of near the hills. Hi
fidelity met Withits reward-his sword was buried
| with him.
Pulaski, Aug, 1865,