Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-07-13
From the American Magazine
MORGAN'S SPRING.
1775-1S25.

| The horse was worn as he tottered down
To Potomac's ford at Shepherdstown
The rider was stopped and weary and pale
| He hardly had strength TO tell the tale
That the fire in their hearts had leaped from
the guns
| OF Massachusetts fearless sons:
Their cry was out, as 1t ought 20 be,
! That every man had a right to be free;
"Come 10 help us .-one and all
Come with sabre, come with BALL
| Come with every drop Of blood
Ready to water Freedoms bud!'
Thus he cried 10 Virginia's sons;
out came horses, out came guns:
Women said Co. and women kissed
Never man at the call was missed.
Warm blood leaped brave men were strong
Answering the cry and Joining the throng.
Gathering from hall and cabin to bring
Their lives to pledge at Morgan Spring.
CThere was no name for its crystal then;
1t now shrines "Morgan's Mnute-Men; -
Grateful hearts TO its waters bow,
And murmur thanks for that solemn VOW
Stern were the faces and coarse were the
coats,
Yet words lost their way in quivering throats
Hands wrung hands in quick goodbye;
Many tear came to many an eye
To backward go with cruel thrill;
For women and all bid their hearts bc still.
Husband, wife, maid, and every one
Knew but one duty, and IL was done.
Prayers went up; men knelt them down
And swore To ride to Boston Town;
hal, hot fp a
Who dared to open Freedoms Day.
Some one sad-of the gathering there
"No one asks his life to spare:
But, if II pleaseth Freedoms God
TO keep a few above the sod,
Let us-ffty years from this
swear TO come and greet with kiss
Each other, and the sod we've won;
And hope nations BENSON
Sabres sprang out, ramrods rang
Crossing in mid air with clang;
True as the sound of steels sharp ring
Was that oath that day at Morgan's Spring
The rider went on 20 carry the cry
south of Potomac murmuring nigh.
North rode the men in an eager horde
Splashing, dashing Potomac's ford
Riding valley and mountain crown
In a bee-line for Boston Town.
one hundred and twenty Virginia men.
You wreathed your brows with glory then!
Had the battle gone, and the land been lost
You offered yourselves rs holocaust!
Time. as il rings through its corridors,
Has hailed you DER men emperors.
ON, what sight in the morning sun
Gladdcncd the face OF Washington
Dust-clad weary, with sabre and bail,
Came the Minute Men" one and all.
From nigh six hundred miles away
Each man life TO spend in the fray
And stood in line as the chief rode down,
And asked. whence came you to Cambridge
Town."
Morgan reported, with soldiers PRIDE
I'VE came from Potomac's southern side"
Down from his horse the cheftain came,
Nor said a word, nor asked a name;
But grasped each hand with hearty grip,
Greeted each look with trembling lip;
His tongue was speechless with glad surprise;
Joy flew straight from his heart and eyes;
Yet down his cheek ran silent tears
To welcome Liberty's Pioneers.
They thought of their homes, OF their stern
farewell,
Here were tears. oh, who can tell
What heaved the breasts OF the Minute
Men,
How soft or stout their hearts were then!
Passing years tore naked land;
War snged ii clean with its scoTching hand
But the men who saw the tears that morn
Nevel WINGED when lighting, or starving, or
torn.
A nation sprang up. flag flew out;
Freedom was born and a glorious shout
Went up from the earth that cause was
won
The work OF heroes was done: well done.
Back to the cabin, and back to the hall,
struggled the few TO tell Of the fall
OF the many brave ones who swOre that day
To lot with their brethren, far away.
Then women wept: but not till them
Now, their cause was the cause OF the silent
men.
When time has fifty years unwound,
Steps are heard on Hallowed Ground;
And three old men together cling,
To keep their oath-at Morgan's Spring.
-Chd1icS NcIIrdine (Tobe Hodge.)