River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-06-18

They are bafied, not defeated; we have
driven them back in vain
And the columns that were scattered, round
the colors that were tattered,
Toward the sullen silent fortress turn their
belted breasts again.
All at once, as we are gazing, 10 the roots of
Charlestown blazing
They have fired the harmless village in an
hour Il will be downI
The Lord in heaveu confound them, rain his
fire and brimstC ne round them, -
The robbing, numbering red-coats, that would
bum peaceful town.
They are marching, stern and solemn; we can
see each MASSIVE column
As they near tho naked earth mound with the
slanting walls so steep
Have our soldiers got faint hearted, and in
noiseless haste departed
Are they panic-struck and helpless Are they
palsied or asleepl
Now the walls they're almost under scarce
rod the foes asunder
Not irelCck flashed against them up the
earthwork they will swarm
Bat the words have scarce been spoken, when
the ominous calm Is broken,
Anda believing crash has emptied all the ven
geance OF the storm
So again, with murderous slaughter, pelted
backwards to the water,
Fly Pigot's running heroes and the frightened
braves Howe;
And we shout, cat last they're done for, it's
their barges they have run for;
They are beaten, beaten, beaten; and the bat
Ties over now ~
And we looked, poor timid creatures, on the
rough old soldiers features,
Our lips afraid to question, but he knew what
we would ask:
"NOt sure" he said "keep quiet -Once more,
guess, they'll try it,
Here's damnation to the cut. Threats ''--then
he handed me his flask,
Saying "Gal, you're looking shaky; have a
drop of old Jamaiky;
Pm ateard there'll be more trouble afore the
job is done;'
So | took one scorching swallow dreadful faint
/ felt aud hollow,
Standing there from early morning when the
firing was begun.
All through those hours of trial had watched
calm clock dial,
AS the hands kept creeping, creeping--they
were creeping round four,
When the old man said, They're forming
with their bayOnets fixed for stormng;
It's the death-grip that's coming, -they will
try the works once more"
With brazen trumuets blaring, the flames be-
hind them glariug,
The deadly wall before them, In close array
they come;
Still onward, upward toiling, like dragons
fold uncoiling--
Like the rattlesnake's shril warning the re-
verberating druml
Over heaps all torn and gory--shall | tell the
fearful story,
How they surged above the breastworks, as
sea breaks over deck;
How driven, yet scarce defeated, our WORKOUT
men retreated,
With their powder-horns all emptied, like the
swimmers from wreck
It has all been told and painted as for me,
they say tainted,
And the wooden legged old Corporal stumped
with me down the stair,
And when l woke from dreams affrighted the
evening lamps were lighted
On the floor youth was lying; his bleeding
breast was bare.
And heard through all the furry, "Send for
Warren hurry hurry
Tell him here's soldier bleeding, and he'll
come and dress his wound ~
Alb, we knew not till the morrow told its tale
How the starlight found him stifiensd on the
dark and bloody ground.
Who the youth was, what his name was, where
the place from which he came was,
Who ha6 brought him from the battle, and had
left HIM at our door,.
He could not speak to tell US; but twas one oil
our brave fellows,
As the homespun plainly showed us which the
dying soldier wore.
For they all thought he was dying, as they
gathered round him crying
And they said, "Oh how they'll miss him !"
and, "What spiA his mother do 2"
Then, his eyelids just unclosing, like child's
that has been doz NC,
He family mui INJURED, Motherl"--and-I saw
his eyes were blue.
--"Why grandma, how you're winking Pr
All, my child, 1t sets me thinking
Of story not like this one. Well, he some
how lived along;
So we came to know each other, and nursed
him like another,
I'll at last he stood before me, tall and rosy
checked, and strong.
And we sometimes walked together in the
pleasant summer weather;
--"Please TO tell us what his name was Pr
Just your own, my little DEAR
There's his picture COpley painted; we be-
came so well acquainted,
That--in short, that's why Pm grandma, and
you children all are herei