Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-05-25
They Rest.

Beneath the sod where the green grass
waves, the moldering form of many poor
fallen soldier rests.
Those who bravely fought have now
won the victory. And yet, they sacrificed
their own lives for their country and lib
erty. Peace be unto their souls AS they
sleep that everlasting sleep. Alb, who
shall shed tear. who shall heave a sigh
for the poor stricken soldier, whose mortal
coil lies beneath the sod, while the tall
green grass waves above their lowly heads'
There they rest; some in their own native
lands, some in the far sunny sonth. their
graves only sought by the singing bird or
the buEzing bee; others are sought for and
cared for by their own loved ones left be-
hind-but tread lightly and break the
silence not above their lowly tombs. Alas,
is it not a glorious thought that there still
remains a few who, in the memory of some
poor soldier when on the field of battle can
recall this last long message to their loved
ones at home, whence in the laundering
lannon's boom was heard far and near
and, yet dying as he was he felt he had
done his duty-he had bravely acted in his
military service, he braved the so much
dreaded battle with courage and strength,
he had smoothed the head of some poor
dying solder and now he was left to die
alone. 1t was hard for the comrades to
move onward leaving some dying, some
wounded, and some struggling with life to
utter one last long message to those they
loved and held dear, when one faint heart
might cry
My life is done,
My victory won
Why. my comrades, who can near the
soldiers grave without one sad look, one
sad thought and exclaim, half murmuring
it aloud,
Thy life is done
Thy victory won
whilst the only tribute hand has lent is a
little flag of red, white and bluep They
fought, they lived, they died their country
to redeem.
And how many wives were left widows.
how many children were left fatherless,
friendess and penniess. Then, my friends
of to day, is it not our duty to protect the
graves of poor fallen soldiers Who will
not lend helping hand, and seek to do
what good they can. Who shall not aid
to decorate their lonely graves with the
most choice, the most rare and beautiful of
spring flowers?
Spring, beautiful spring-time brings forth
with her the beautiful, and may it not be
spared from the graves of poor fallen SOL
diers. How many sad hearts are thinking
of their last words.
When the veil is lifted the clouds disap.
pear; let us then with cheerful hearts con-
tribute freely of what our feeble hearts
and hands can do.
The battle field, the battle field
Is where the grave made
No prayerful sound no kindred found
Whilst they the soldier laid;
He died his country to redeem
And mortal souls find rest
To bring us peace and liberty
Our homes and country blest.
They heed it not they heed it not
NohDwers are sprnSng fair,
Nosnarkling gem, no hand hath penned
Who's laid so lowy there;
Let memory cling oh, comrades true,
Around the soldiers bed,
Let those who softly laid him low
There IN lrch with measured tread,
All soldier rest all, soldier rest
Beneath the palm trees shade
Nobattle's din no field OF sin
Can eacpbeyond the grave
In sacred mem Jry we concord
Through all the living age,
The battle sought, the victory won,
Has brought the soldiers grave
our native hOme-our native home,
The land that we hold dear;
Our country bought through deaths dark plot
Aud many falling tear;
Oh wave the flag of liberty
Across the rolling sea,
And let the day of freedom dawn
Though all eternity. T.