National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-12
MUSTERED OUT
BY J. S. SLATER

4
evslc the slumbering echoes Of home
u, ,9ur hearts? Do you ever feel
RIO stunning the red-crested foam
Ofbattle-its glittering steel?
.n,,s Ger fear broOding feeling
or death. Tom, come over yoT heart
1,-7,;Ietboughts of loved ones are stealing
i GT,air wav to your soul? For my part,
"ren now wish myself older;
Vel through to the end of this fight
And own that l shall feel holder
When the daylight bids US good night.
rGnt-what did you say? Advancins?"
The enemy? Yes now see
The sun on their bay nets giancing
MOI TAR TO the left Of that tree.
sTbere they come out of the timber,
And over the crest of yon hill
Men. run up your guns and unlimber,
BE ready to give them their fill.
nNav. Tom, please don't stay beside me-
But near. SOS to be within call
IL rase-lTm not afraid, thank ye}-
Ia case should happen 10 fall,
..TlI be much obliged. Keep an eye
On me, Tom I've felt very strange
And been wondering if I'm to die,
,=3ce the .Johnnies' came within range.
Won promise? All right! One other
T.cqrcst I've to make. 1t is this:
TrT'n slain. please send to my mother
This book which you now see me kiss.
.vyw watch, my ring, and this locket-
sweet faces, kiss you once morel-
7r,, take and keep in your pocket
F.r1 me, till the combat is DER.
"IrI fall. they go to my wife,
Bn5-Yyhat, Tom tear in your eye?
Na,cr mind. man Now for the strife:
rcra.> orders. Goodbye, Tom, goodbye!
as,so5 70 vour piece, Sergeant Harrott.
And touch them up fine with shell!
rr7.,r,5cr, That beats your old Parrot"
Which used to talk rebels towel,
rfiye them another-a feeler,
To see if they really mean work;
Aud-Thompson, look to your wheeler
Hc.s getting as wild as Turk.
% Py George! Those fellows are plucky.
Look, See how they close up their ranks!
Inst a. they did that unlucky
DavUp in the Valley with Banks.
ID
How bravcly your howitzer spoke
That fearful day in September,
Jgst after our infantry broke.
"Wen done! Try again. That centre
Battalion seems ready to break
Near where / saw your shell enter
Great Scott. how that shot made them quake !
eThere. they've got our range. Directly
Wen catch it, as hot as you please;
Chcy surely act circumspectly
To hide their guns back of those trees1
"Iknew it! Slap bang among us!
Il wonder if any ones hurt;
That shell struck rather promiscuous,
And kicked up power of dirt)
cone kfIled-two wounded?" Poor Fletcher!
lie talked about dying to-day;
Vel send a man for the stretcher,
70 carry the poor boys away.
Great Cesar! That was a singer.
Here, sergeant, quick, there on your right
That bafry-give it ringer.
Twill teach them to be more polite.
"Good for youl One piece dismounted--
A caisson, too, blown up sky high:
One horse and two gunneTs counted
With those thus appointed TO die.
"Sec! They are leaving. A parting
Salute let them haye-juSt for fun.
Twill aid Them doubtless, in starting
Ali! now / see what makes them run;
"Iheir line has swung back. No wonder
1 They hitched up so quickly and fed
i Ere we could bottle their thunder
We'll. thus far our luck is ahead.
"Isce their game. They are massing
Their forces to charge us in flank.
There they come, already passing
The timber. rank upon rank.
"Yow, men, get everything ready.
But wait for the word of command
Handle your guns quick and steady,
And keep ev'ry piece well in hand.
"Orierly. ride to the colonel
Supporting our batt'Ty to-day.
And tell him, By the eternal
Wen drive back yOn column of gray
Say to him further, however,
He'd best get a regiment more
Al hand, for on my word, never
Have felt 50 shaky before.
"AIl right fire away! Don't hurry
But serve your guns as if on drill.
When The foe gets in a furry,
Then load and fire fast, and at will.
The bullets certainly patter
Right lively; but thus far no harm
l.. Ueorge! l am hiL-(no matter
lis only scratch on my ARM.
Now, Jump to Your work-theyre making
or station = triflc too hot
u. YET their ways are not taking
Enough 70 make sure of this spot.
And, boys, if you're ready, feed themi
some grapes they'll find hard TO digest.
IL ROW, if ever they need them
- blaze away. Give them no rest.
Hur'ah! They're breaking voIley
VII settle their hash for tonight.
t!hey surely must see it's folly
10 longer continue the fight)
Cease firing! Our line is moving.
Yes, here come our boys to the charge.
An. Colonel, things arc improving.
our loss has not been very large.
I'm glad It's over Tomorrow
My three years of service are out.
GOOD bye! leave you with sorrow,
lcthope may see you about"
""cfe am ]? What means this feeling
Vi numbnesS-thiS dimncss Of sight?
L founded? All, then It's death stealing
N! life; my f0rboding was right.
acI' God gave it. Doubtless better
iial !, lie knows just what is best.
AS,' here, Tom? Write me letter
d I"Il not keep you long from your rest.
ray 10 my mother (God bless herr,
-, ue as LIES journey I've trod;
-l" ID. though I've been no professor
u cEeeds, yet my hope is in God.
Ie'' her, too, death has no terrors
p, f's ne That Divine love is strong,
u lT",sa I've been guilty of errors,
~ 1ls'. ne has paydoned each wrong.
"S'En! Dark shadows are throwing
n q pan Der my vision; while life
W '.e red Tide Of battle is flowing
~ 1ear me away from all strife.
=, -! |IIe-you know how 1 love her
ff vel say 10 her that, though my clay
ne :, nero, my spirit will hover