The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-07-18
THE BALLAD OF GETTYSBURG.


diers failed, N.'.
And twice In vain the lines of Lee by sickcs were
assaied.
The woods and hills were all aiaze with rifed bat.
terry,
And well they swept our thinning ranks with their
artillery;
As DER the road to Emmetshurg the Southern soldiers
burst, ....H
our bravest troops were driven back diminished and
dispersed.
The gallant Lee surveyed the field with bold but anx-
ious eye,
Aud ordered up his last reserve, his latest chance "a
try.
At Gettysburg, Mt Gettysburg how fos, his generals
ride,
And mastering come his chosen troops like clouds Mt
eventide.
And twice ten thousand veteran troops In stately coll
umn tread.
Their cannon blaze In front aud nank-Longstrce Is
at their head;
STEADY they step from out the woods steady they
climb the hill,
Steady they load steady they fire, moving right on
ward STILL
Bewlxt the woods and Round Top Sleeps ms through
furnace blast,
Through ramparts, trench, and palsadc, and grape
shot showerng past;
And In the open plain between they marched and kept
their course,
with ready fire and grim resolve that Knocked hos.
tile force;
DER Plum Runs bloody stream they marched while
thinner grew their ranks,
And broke as breaks the zuydcr Zee on Holland,
ocean banks.
had tiled
IN stnp tho stream of CbiynIfy nj hp1IIpun
tide;
Bobsell and grape and round shot tore sti on they
marched and fired.
Fast from each volley cavalry and infantry retired
- Homes hrcsides, affairs are invcivcd.' brave
Meade inporing cried,
But on they came-no power, II seemed, could stem
the swelling tide
Across the road to Emmetsbutg; and Meade had
turned his rein.
Retreat not yet,' Fate inteiposed; ''the Second
Corps remain -
And Gettysburg, famed Gettysburg, had been pu
Were not gallant Hancock there, brave, vehement,
and true.
Hancock - hc says ''you have your WISH there
are the Union foes;''
And Meade could scarce restrain smile. so fuiicus,y
he goes.
Then proud the look that Hancock wears his voice Is
clear and gay.
The treasured hopes OF centuries In his sword to.
day.
The sacred Union must not fall the States must evei
glorious band Of brotherhood, united. strong, and
free
On mounted steed, with cap in hand, and lightning
In his eye
He them TO deeds of fame and goi ios vie.
tory
At Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, nor ever yet else.
where
Did mountain chefaln look so grand as Hancock ther
and there.
His very voice Is hoarse with Joy, as galy he com.
mands:
'Charge comrades, charge - Like mountain
storm rush on his fiery bands.
Thin is brave Longsreet's column now AMI faint hi,
his volleys grow;
Yet mastering all his towering strength, he makes
gallant show.
They dress their ranks near Round Top HIM. and fac,
the battle wind,
Their bavonets the breakers FOAM like rocks the mel
behind;
One voey crashes from their line, when through tn,
surgng smoke,
with shout and cheer and flashing sword, the head
long Hancock broke.
At Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, bark TO tho fierce
huzza:
The Union saved, the country freed, when IIanoocl
leads the war.
pang.
Right up against brave Longstieet's ranks thes
Union heroes sprang;
Bright was their steel tits bloody now, their gun
filled with gore;
Through shattered ranks and severed files and tram
pied flags they tore.
Confederaes strove with desperate strength, paused
rallied staggered, fled;
The green hillside is matted close with dying AMI witt
dead;
Along the road to lagerstown passed the hi,lcou
rack,
| While sword and shell and musketry famed thei
| southwark track.
At Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, an eagle In the SUM-
| With bloody plume Hancock stands the field !
fought and won.
July the Fourth, at Gettysburg, our wounded lcade
lay;
| Another Hancock's name is born upon this gloriou
| day;
There gallant Reynolds risked his life, AMI for tn
| Union died.
| And Barksdae fell, n soldier true, upon the otIie
| side
And those who fought and those who fell. the Twin
and the dead,
On either side, shall honored he, by brave men wIiol
they led.
The Southern harp shall speak their fame who bravel
| fought with Lee,
And Northern song shall sing their praise who struc
for unity.
hut praise the Lord, from lake to gulf. that hav
| seen the day
When IIancock's name untes the hosts that wore til
| blue and gray!
| WILLIAM T.. ROBINSON.