Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-05-12
P ET C AL
From the Culpeper Times,l
THE CHAPLAIN OF THE
THIRTY-THIRD.

By ]. S. TROUT
1t was in Eighteen S'xty-three,
When Jackson moved so suddenly
Down upon the Federal camp
That lay near Winchester
That quaint old town whose gables
cramp,
And pitch erratic front or rear,
And spire and steeple far and near
Seem dreamily to shadow down
On streets in busy STIR.
Renowned of yore this ancient town,
Where Washington held camp and court,
Where iulns mark the Federal fort,
And rode in martial pomp and pride
Adown the unpaved street,
Whilst burghers with each other wed,
To hail their chleftain's safe return,
Whose art in war he first did learn
In long campaigns on wild frontier;
Or sore bewail deleat.
Bonowned again thro' many a year
When Jackson rode with noble Lee,
And Ashby fought so gallantly,
With dauntless pride and steel as trleG
As paladin' e'er drew.
Renowned in peace as well. beside,
For ouccnly maids and courtly danes,
And all the proud historic names
That blazon honor's spotless page
Vweinia's boasted heritage
And blood as proudly blue.
Yes, Sixty-thrce the year, the day
Was Sabbath, and Just as the gray
Ofdawn broke o'er the fortress hill
That skirts this famous town,
That lay so dreamlly and still,
Stonewall Jackson's old brigade,
Tiro' flash and fame from cannonade,
Where screaming missiles vengeful tore
Came fierce and thund'ring down
,Boye bayonet clash and cannon roar
Z c rebel yell was heard that day,
Us Jackson lead the darkest fray,
Thro' storm Of fire from clouds Of smoke,
As OILY ut NONlU iShNs
FROM battlements the thunder woke,
And slowered a storm Of leaden rain
Out DER the deep embattled plain;
Then charged again the rebel llne-
The Fcd'ral ranks recede-
WI eager spoke the brave divine
Tho CnoOia;n of the Thirty-third
"God has Cur prayer in mercy heard,
Aul lie will crown our arms this day
With splendid victory"
Answered Stonewall IN bis curt way:
" Your prophecy may well be true,
linen Will all their duty do J"
Quaint moralist the Chaplain thought,
And unused in rovery:
From this blunt text may all be taught
The dogmas that thro' centuries come
Unheedod. and make up the sum
Ofall religions varying creed,
And all ofmorals too.
Then refining tight his piebald steed,
With spur and lash he charged amain
Where carnage held her CHASTITY reign
Nor armed with pistol, gun or sword,
His way tho ranks 10 hew.
But ouly with the blessed Word,
Slowed in his saddle pockets deep,
That Tapped ana thumped at every leap,
His gallant piebald charger made,
In right good style, I'm told.
Nor did his courage Ooze or fade,
For at close OF day he bore away,
As trophy of his maiden fray,
\ sabre belted to his side,
Like any soldier bold;
And bore it too with well marked pride.
As many time that sword was cheered
By comrades Of the ThlrtY-third,
Who held cenceit from that dread day,
That he who'd fight in duty's way,
Sincere as he was frave,
Could lust as well in duty pray
For counsel 'gainst their willy foes,
Whilst good stout hearts and heavyblows
To them the victory gave.
The moral OF this episode
Survives the war, and years that 60
Since Stonewall with his troopers rode
Adown the vail of Shenandoah,
Where raplne trailed her way IN woe;
And proudly now the corn.plume mods
O'crcrofts laid waste in wars despair,
And temples rise to household gods
Where walls uncoifed stood lone and
bare.
Washington, d. C. April 10, 1880.