Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-04-15
BATTLE OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.
BY GEORGE H. BOXER.

GEORGE H. BOXER.
"Give me but two brigades," said Hooker frownng at
fortified Lookout.
"And Ill engage to sweep yon mountain clear OF that
mOcking rebel routel"
At early morning came order that set the generals
face aglow;
"Now," said he to his staff, 'draw out my soldiers.
Grant says that may gor'
HIther and thiher dashd each eager colonel to join
his regiment
While low murmur OF the daring purpose ran on
from tent to tent;
For the long roll sounding in the valley, and the
keen trumpet's bray
And the wild laughter OF the swarthY veterans, who
cried. 1--WE fight to-dayI"
The solid tramp OF infantry the rumble Of the great
jolting gun.
The sharp, clear order and the fierce steeds neghing
why's not the fight begun?"-
All these plain harbingers of sudden conflict broke
the startled ear;
And last arose sound that made your blood leap
X the ringing battle-cheer.
The lower works were carried at one outset Like a
vast roaring sea
or steel and fire. soldiers from the trenches swept
out the enemy;
And we could see the gray-coats swarming up from
the mountains leafy base,
To join comrades in the higher fastness; for life
or death the raceI
Then long line went winding round the mountain,
in huge serpent track,
And the slant sun upon it hashd and glimmerd on
dragons back.
Higher and higher the columns head push'd onward,
ere the rear moved man;
And soon the skirmish-lines their struggling voeys
and single shots began.
Then the bald head of Lookout famed and bellow'd,
and all its batteries woke.
And down the mountain pour'd the bombshells putting
into our eyes their smoke;
And balls and grape-shot rand upon column that
bore the angry shower
As II It were than that soft dropping which
scarcely stirs the flower.
glorious courage that inspires the hero and runs
through all meni
The heart that fad beside the Rappahannock it was
itself again. fff.
The star that circumstance and jealous faction shroud
ed in envous night
Here shone with all the splendor of its nature and
with freer fight
Harki bark there go the wel-known crashing voleys
the long-continued roar.
That swes and falls. but neaver ceases wholly until
the fight is DER.
Up towards the crystal gates of heaven ascending the
mortal tempests beat
As II they sought to try their cause together before
Gods very feet.
We saw our troops had gaind footing almost beneath
the topmost ledge;
And back and forth the rival lines went surging upon
the dizzy edge. nE"f
Sometimes men fall backward slowly and
groan'd in our despair
Or cheerd when and then stricken rebel plunged
out in open air.
Down, down, thousand fathoms dropping, his Goo
alone knows wherei
At eve. thick haze upon the mountain gatherd witt
rising smoke stain'd black.
And not glimpse Of the contending armies shon,
through the swirling rack.
Night fell DER all but still they ashd their lightning
and roll'd their thunders loud.
Though no man knew upon what side was going tina
battle in the cloud. t,-
Night what night Of anxious thought and wonder
But still no tidings came
From the bare summit Of the trembling mountain
| still wrapp'd in mist and fame. N
But towards the sleepess dawn. Stiffness dread
full than the sound of war;
Settled eer Nature, she stood breathless befor
the morning star.
As the rose, dense clouds OF smoky vapor boil
from the valleys deeps,
Dragging their torn ard rugged edges slowly u
through the tree-clad sleeps,
And rose and rose till Lookout. like VISION above
grandy stood.
And over his black crags and storm-blanch'd headant
burst the warm, golden flood.
/ thousands held their breath.
And the vast army, in the valley watching. seem
touched with sudden death.
High DER soard the great Lookout robed in purpl
| agory on his face, t] no 81 etf
human meaning in his hard, calm features benea
that heavenly grace.
Out on a crag walk'd something-what? an eagle tn
treads yOn gddy height?
Surely no man But still he clamber'd forward in
the full. rich light;
Then up he started with a sudden motion, and fro
the blazing crag
Flung to the morning breeze and sunny radiance t
dear old iag
All. then what followdP scarrd and war-worn soldit
like girls iush'd through their tan,
And down the thousand wrinkles of the battles
thousand tear-drops ran;
Men seized each other in returnd embraces and 81
bed for very love.
A spirit which made all that moment brothers seen
falling from above.
3 And. as we gazed, around the mountains summit
glitterng files appear'd
I Into the rebel works we saw them marching; and
t -wecheer'd, we cheer'd;
: And they sbsve waved all their flags before us
Join'd our frantic shout em
Standing. like demigods. in light and triumph, uI
| halr Toor