Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-04-27
Written for the Herald.
An EIesy on Our Old Gun.
ny CECIL DUNNING.

lin 1868 the late George S. Denison, Will
Collector of the port of New Orleans, DIS
covered ships cannon, twelve-pounder
which had been spiked and sunk IN the MIS-
sissippi by the rebels. Having had 1t drlll
ed, he sent it to his home in Royalton, Yer
mont, where as well as in the adjacent towns
1t did valiant service.
On the 9TH of March, III celebrating the in
auguration of Hayes and Wheeler at Chelsea
Vt, this cannon was burst.
1t is with hearty affection for the old gun,
and proud acknowledgement of Its glorious
record, that the following lines are written:l
Despoiled, dishonored. spiked iorlorn,
sunk in the Mississippis slime,
There left to rust by rebel hands
Act typical Of that dark time
Thence rescued, and restored to use
by one, who sent the old gun forth
To speak the truth without abuse,
In this, his own dear home. the North.
CL heart so gentle, and so brave
Oh heart SO loyal and SO true
Could you a nobler record ask
Than this we proudly offer you
For fourteen years, through war and peace.
With booming voice, and lusty night,
This brave old cannon never failed
To speak, and always for the right.
At LincOln's second victory:
When peace was shouted far and wide;
For presidential triumphs won;
On Independence Days beside;
When soldiers graves with flowers were strewn:
Or years Centennial observed.
THIS veteran gun was trundled forth,
And never from its duty swerved.
On Woodstock's plains, on Strsil5rd's hills,
In many township, far and near,
We've gladly, proudly heard thy voice,
keverberatins sharp and clear,
An me! know no sweeter sound.
My heart no more exultant thrill,
Than when thy booming echoes ring,
And thunder back IRON hill to hill.
Along Cascadnac's winding stream,
Above the rocky cliffs retOrt.
The mounta ms toss the answer hack.
As II rejoicing in the sport
Then farther down the curying banks,
The trees take up thy dying strain.
Beochee. and hrs, anu maple leaves,
Wait fainter still thy last refrain
Oh chill. unfrendly morn in March,
When our old hero went away,
Our last great gain to celehrate-
How sad, yet glorious, seems that day
When wanderers leave a cherished home
Never to return, can you not tell.
Does no prophetic shadow fall
No warning voice suggest fareneR
How valiantly the gun replies
A rim n-ing Here" to yictOry's call
How valantly il gives response
With fiZz. and flash, and wadded ball!
The fifth discharge has scarce died out
When gunners stand appalled,, aghast-
Tue carriage wrecked-the gun is gone
tone in one single, lightly blast.
But like sertient thing of life.
1t harms, in peace, nor friend nor foe,
They stand around-nO: one is hurt
How loyal, ~ thy dying throe!
Yet on the Vershire road that day,
A huge. misshapen piece is found.
Near BY tree is cleft in twain,
And shattered fragments strew the ground.
Hurrah for peace at home, abroad
HurrAh for victories boldly won
Yet bid me not repress one tear
For this our noble, dear old gun
Sleep well, brave veteran, tbs the need
OF one who hattlsd with the best
Sleep well, old cannon, let no hand
proiane thy well earned, dreamless rest