The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-07-23

THE BALLAD OF GETTYSBURG.
BY WILLIAM E. ROBINSON.

Thrice near the town Of Gettysburg our bravest
soldiers failed,
And twice in vain the lines of Lee by Sicles were
assailed.
The woods and hills were all ablaze with rified bat
terry.
And well they swept our thinning ranks with their
artillery;
As DER the road to Emmetsburg the southern sol
dicrs burst.
Our bravest troops were driven back, diminished
and dispersed.
The gallant Lee Surveyed the field with bold but
anxious eye,
And ordered up his last reserve, his latest chance
to try.
At Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, how fast his Gen
erals ride.
And mastering come his chosen troops like clouds
at eventide.
And twice ten thousand veteran troops in stately
column tread,
Their cannon blaze in front and flank nk-Longstreet
is at their head;
Steady they step from out the woods, steady they
Steady they load, steedy they fire, moving right
onward still.
BetwiXt the woods and Round Tops sleeps, as
through furnace blast,
Through ramparts, trench and palisade, and grape
shot showering fast;
And in the open plain between they marched and
kept their course,
With ready fire and grim resolve that mocked at
hostile force;
O'er Plum Runs bloody stream they marche
while thinner grew their ranks,
And broke as breaks the Zuyder Zee on Hollands
ocean banks.
To meet the shock and drive it back corps after
corps had tried
To stop the stream Of chivalry stay its headong
tide:
BON shell and grape and round shot tore still on
they marched and fired,
Fast each volley cavalry and infantry retired.
Homes, frcsides, aItars involved" brave
Meade imploring cried,
But on they came-no power, 1t seemed, could
stem the swelling tide
Across the road to Emmetsburg; and Meade had
turned his rein.
Retreat not yet" Fate interposed: 'thc Second
Corps remain -
Ana Gettysburg. famed Gettysburg, had been
Bull Run too
Were not our gallant Hancock there,i ,ibrave .vehe
ment. and true.
Hancock" be says, "you have your wish. there
are the Unions foes -
And Meade could scarce restrain n smile so furi-
ousy he goes.
Then proud the look that Hancock wears his voice
Is clear ana gay.
The tree sured hopes Of centuries in his sword
today.
The sacred Union must not fail, the States must
ever he
A glorious band Of brotherhood, united. strong,
and free
On mounted steed, with cap in hand, and light
ming in his eye,
He waves them on to deeds of fame and glorious
victory
where
Did mounted chiefain look so grand as Hancock
then and there.
His very voice is hoarse with JOY, as gayly he
commands:
Charge comrades, charger Like mountain
storm rush on his fiery bands.
Thin Is brave Longstrcet's column now, and faint
his voIIeys grow
Yet tmusterins all his towering strength, he makes
gallant show.
They dress their ranks near Round Top Hill, and
face the battle wind,
Their bayonets the breakers foam, like rocks the
men behind:
One voIley crashes from their line when through
the surgina smoke,
With shout and cheer and flashing sword, the
hcadIong Hancock broke.
AT Gettysburg, at Gettysburg hark to the fierce
huzza:
The Union saved; the country freed when Han
cock leads the war.
Like lions lcaping at n fold. when pad with hun
gers paHg,
Right up against brave Longstrcct-s ranks these
Union heroes sprang:
Bright their steel tits bloody now their guns
are hllcd with gore:
Through shattered ranks and severed files and
tramplcd flags they tore,
fTf.v, q Hf.4a4+
paused, rallied, staggered, feI;
The green hillside is matted close with diving and
with dead
Along the road to Hagerstovn passed on the hide
ous rack
While sword and shell and musketry famed on
their Southwark track.
At Gettysburg, at Gettysburg, an eagle in the
sun.
With bloody plume our Hancock stands; the field
is fought and won.
July the Fourth. at Gettysburg. our wounded lead.
er lay;
Another Hancock name is born upon this glorious
day;
There gallant Reynolds risked his life, and for the
Union died
And barksdac fell a soldier true. uron the other
side:
And those who fought. and those who fell the Iiv-
ing and the dead
On either side, shall honored be, by brave men
whom they led
The southern harp shall speak their fame who
bravely fought with Lee
And Northern song shall sing their praise who
struck for unity.
But praise the Lord, from lake to gulf. that we
have seen the day
When Hancock's name unites the hosts that wore
the blue and gray " T. syn