The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-12-25
Auetital.
Gettysburg.
copyrighted in 1885 by J. W. slagenhaup)

Gettysburg.
Copyrighted in 1885 by J. W. slagenhaup)
TX.
The summit of a crescent ridge,
With many rugged, rocky ledge,
Was made the Federal line;
Along that ridge for several miles
Were posted military files
That there in strength combine.
Beyond the valley, hidden still
By groves on many q sloping hill,
Was ranged the force opposed.
Each army. steady, resolute,
Was there, determined to dispute
The ground ere that day closed.
The one with victory was flushed,
And on the previous day had pushed
The struggling, broken troops;
The other, not the least dismayed,
Well REINFORCED, was there arrayed,
With firm, intrepid hopes
ConteEding there, each for his right,
As he believes, has might with might
Measured in armed strength.
With resolution fiercely firm,
They stand to arms throughout the term
Ofthat days sultry length.
In mortal combat closed, they meet,
And they, ere one turns in dc ,et.
Like Plutos demons fight>
Forgetting natural love ofle>.
Forgetting in the din of st.
All, save the foe in sigfsSS
Upon the top and sides ScSail
ns,ittering rows of,s SSing steel
gleSS,Ig forest rs y
re giant granite
Ere DER them frowneez
nd flashed the glist'ning
Ire nature built her battlemdS
solid rocks, with gaping vents,
Through which the cannon poinsV
From center to the rear and van
They stand united, man to man,
In dauntless ranks conjoint.
Ascending in the sky, the sun
Marked that the early hours had gone
1t showed the time of noon;
The battle for while delayed,
For greater violence was stayed,
When came the conflict on.
No battle sound yet rent the air,
Save that of rife here and there,
Or bursting iron bomb.
Like few flashes from the clouds
That float before the mass that shrouds
The earth in sombre gloom.
Or, as on Ischia's fated isle
Prevailed unusual calm awhile,
Ere sank the crumbling town,
When, shaken by commissions, fall
Houses and tott'ring towers tall,
In shapeless ruin thrown.
Those ardent men, whate'er their fate,
The signal eagerly await
Their bravery to prove;
And still the warm midsummer rays
Are lower in the western haze
Before the columns move.
They move-the great invading hosts;
The strong divisions leave their posts,
On speedy conquests bent.
One mighty army waits the shock;
One mighty armys forces flock
To battle violent.
Toward the left of that great field
We're heard the loud reports that pealed
From opening cannonade.
Aark there is heard the whir and crash
4 OF flying bolts,-'gainst rocks they DASH
And stout trees bending swayed.
Aees. bushes, rocks, and deep ravine
Alyeen the vanguards intervene
e movements still to hide, 1.
loving gray long compact lines
Astealthily through brush and vines
" front and sides. -
Spts in a line,
S shine
light;
like the steel,
Ike zeal,
i height.
beyond,
|e respond,
ming rows;
ntry
company
ed into view,
q hue,
roar.
that assault
& a s-they never halt.
olleys pour.
Flash on fash,
rash on crash,
of men
b. In blaze of ire,
b screaming noises dire,
Kissing rain.
e frail, living frames
of powder flames,
ht hail?
who will heed
rick of dying steed,
who fall?
yendure
dreadful hour,
ld more
Sthey quail?
Nessail
power.
human fear
isappear,
sears;
" be seen,
in
e mind
when combined
z course,
Pyor bear
Fair
rec.
plies
tries
We face of death.
iery breath
tell
pierced;
liking through
bmb-shells slew
BURST
hern raiders came
all aflame
they bore;
g, went