The National tribune., 1884-08-21
A Rebel Soldier from Near the Kansas Line.

To THE EDITOR: Some time since some one
called for song entitled the "RebeI Soldier"
suppose the following is what is wanted, and
send il to you for publication. 1t is so true
and real, as regards the Border Counties of
Missouri next to the Kansas line, that it was
very popular song along through the last two
years of the war Can any one inform me
where / can get the "Dime Songster 2
think it was published at Des Moines Iowa.
The first song in it was Grants Grand March
from Grand Gulf to Vicksburg.n-HUaA L.
THOMPSON, Carl Junction, Mo.
Air" Binge,l on the Rl.i7sen
A soldier from Missouri, in early nanhoods prime,
Lay with the dead and dying in Mississippis cline
On the bloody field of Corinth his life was ebbing
fast,
And comrades, faint and bleeding, in crowds were
hurrying past
He saw his young companions. the friends Of ear
Retiring from the conflict before the cannons blaze
And borne along, all tattered. the starred and
The flag which he had carried from near the Kan
sas line.
a comrade stopped beside him and raised his
dropping head,
And thus in falterng accents the youthful soldier
said:
Farewell, my friend and comrade, long and
last adieu;
Though you may shortly follow. III meier return
10 you.
with me, the war is DER, my marching is at an
end,
And now dying message by you fain would
Oh, bear it to my kindred those distant friends OF
mine,
For have friends and kindred near to the Kansas
line.
" / have an aged mother,-you know that mother
Oh, bear to her the tidings how in battle fell,
And tell her ] remember in anguish her advice
To stay at home, in quiet nor join the rebel Price
And had then but needed the good advice she
Iwould not now be hast'ning to fill rebels grave
But needed other counsel, and left that home oi
That home of peace and comfort upon the Kansas
line
You know my brothers also. tell them the
mournful tale.
And when in death Pm sleeping, they will my fate
bewail;
They knew strove all vainIy secession's tide to
stem,
Till, blinded by phantom, 1 bade adieu to them.
They knew the things that drew me away from
them and home,
And the phantom light that lured me through
gxle y iand TO roam
Oh that this heart were loyal within this breast o
mine!
But it win never beat again upon the Kansas line
Tell those wealthy neighbors who preached seces-
sion loud
Who counseled me and others to swell the rebel
crowd
That, though they now loyal their own deal
lives to save,
Twas they who sent me surely to fill a traitors
grave;
"That though can forgive them, I'd have them
not forget
That but for them might have been at home with
mother yet.
VIII haunt their dreamy slumbers upon the Kan
sas line.
" And there Is a dark-eyed beauty, q need not cal
her naTne,)
Who swerved me from my duty and famed the
rebel flame;
Her words well remember: No hand with mine
unites,
Unless find it boldly defending Southern rights
"Those Southern rights alas! my friend. I know
not what they were,
But with you and others followed the fleeing phan
sacrificed my judgment at beauty's magic shrine
And joined the rebel regiment upon the Kansas
line.
'And now, my friend remember, and heed m,
last request;
feel my mind is wandering-I soon shall be a
Now dim prophetic visions before me seem TO pass
And storms of blood and carnage are gath irins
very I;AsLs
| And ere this war is ended, SO foolishly begun,
A thousand youths, misguided, viii do as hav,
done:
And thousand doting mothers viii be bereft lik,
mine
And thousand homes made desolate along tn,
Kansas line.n
And now his reasons failing. the soldier ceased &.
| speak,
And on the field OF battle, where Greek had me
| the Greek"
| His life made off ring unto the God of War
| Whose victims bleed by thousands-alasI alas
| what for?
The land is dark with mourning, draped In weed
| of woe,
And the wsiling notes of sorrow are heard from
high and low,
| While many homes desoate, by fire and swort
combined
| To make a howling wilderness along the Kansa
line. O. B.
| hava baau 6raadfrlly frauLJad ;<h yu