Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-11-20

This poem was written by Theodore O'lIar
Df Kentucky, at tho time of tho removal It II
ROMANS Of tho Kcntuckians killed in tho Nc
lean war, t" Frankfort. snd tho erection tho
Of monument 10 their memory. Mr.. OHa'
served in tho Confederate army during tho Ia
war, and it il supposed lie died, cithor durii
tho war or after its close:
The mufflo.l drums sad roll has beat
The soldiers last tattoo;
No more on lifc'A parade shall meet
The brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent ten. $ ar, sps cad
AMI Glory guards, With solemn round,
Tie bivouac of the dead.
No rumor OF the foes advance
Now sweeps upon tho wind j.;
No troubled thoughts 1T midnight haunt
OF flowed ones left behind.
No vision ot the luOrrOw's strife
The warriors dream alarms
Nor brayins horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall Gull to arms.
Their shivcrcd swords arc red with rust,
Their plumod heads are bowed:
Their haughty banner, TAILED in dust,
Is now their martial shrOud.
And plontcous funeral tears have washed
The rcd stains from each brow,
And the prond forms, by battle gashed,
Arc freed from anguish now.
Tho ncigting troop, tl,o flashing blade,
The bIgle's stirring blast,
The charge, the dreadful cannonado,
Tho din and shout, are past;
Nor wars wild note. nor Elory's peel,
Shall thrill with fierce delight
Those breasts that nevermoIe may feel
The raptures of the fight.
For, like the dreadful hurricane
That sweeps tho wide plateau.
Flushed with the triumph yet to gain.
Came down the serricd foe,
Who heard the tempest OF tho fray
Break DER the field beneath,
Knew vol the watchwOrd Of the day
Was Victory or Deathl"
Long had the doubtful conflict ragged
Across the surging plain.
For ne'er such fight before had waged
The fiery sons Of Spain =
And still the storm OF battle blew,
Still swelled the CORY tide
Not long, our stout old ch,eftain knew,
Such odds his strength could bido.
Twas in that hour h,s stern command
Called to martyrs grave
The flower of his own loved land,
The nations nag to save.
BY rivers OF their fa:her's gore
His first.born laurels grew.
And we'll he deemed the sons would pour
Their lives tor glory tool
Full! many Northern breath hath swept
Der Angostura's plain,
And long tho pityins eye hath wept
Above the moldcring slain;
The ravens scream, or eagles fight,
Or shepherds pensiye lay,
Alone awakes each sullen height
That frowned on that dread day.
Now, 'nes th tho parent turf they rest,
Far from tho CORY field,
Borne to Spartan mothers breast
On many bloody shield
The snnsDine Of their native sky
Smiles sadly on them here.
And kindred eyes and hearts watch by
The soldiers sepulchre.
REST on. embalmed and sainted deadi
Dear is the blood ye gavei
No imipous footsteps here shall tread
The herbage OF your grave;.
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While Fame her record Keeps,
Or Honor points the hallewed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.
Yon faithful herald's blazoned stone,
With mournful pride shall tell,
When many = vanished age hath flown,
The story how ye fell
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winters fligt
Nor Times lemorseless doom,
shall mar ono ray OF elory's light
That gilds your deathless tomb.