The National tribune., 1890-11-20
suERNIAN's MARCH.
BY FRED EMERSON ERooKS

BY FRED EMERSON BROOKS
Excuse blind old soldier IL too eager In his quest
To feel the copper button the lapel Of your
breast,
I've been 50 blind haven't seen n cOmrade since
the war.
Bu. know tl.e grip Of fellowship found in the
GAR.
know you are hero. though you tell me not
your name.
SO shall call you eomrade, for the meanings Just
the same.
I've come to see the GeneraI-hs-s here, UNDER
Now, eomrade, lead mo to him. for I'D like to shake
his hand.
know 1t l. an honor,
But you'll tell this for me.
That marched down with sherman
From Atlanta to the sea-
Twas the march of all the ages-AtIanla TO the sea-
Then uP again to Richmond, one long march of
Victory
Three thousand miles Of marching with hundred
thousand men,
And n thousand banners fying-there was plenty
fighting then;
For Ills something more than marching with the
elements at play
Aud the swarthy s,orm-king linging his battaIions
1t is something more than marching when every
You are forced TO fight with nature and still
stubborn foe.
could tell you all about ic
II you'd listen unto me-
For marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
could tell you all about Il, and the reason why
twas done;
For oittimss the greatest battle is with smallest
carnage won;
Those great chieflains-Grant and Sherman, peer
less military twain
Planned 90 settle the rebellion in a doublefold
camvaisn;
While Grant held lee at Richmond Sherman
marching through the South.
Cut oil hope and all resources save what's IN the
eannon's mouth
When your enemy is helpless is just the same, you
know,
As when you've thrust a rapier through the viiaIs
Of foe.
Yes, I'm blind old veteran,
But proud as I can be,
That marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Lee well knew those marching thousands meant
his final overthrow;
And to yield far greater courage than useless
blood to fow,
Had those concentrated armies-yeterans blue and
veterans gray
Sought to settle the rebellion In one final, fatal
fray,
Fate's red history Of battle would have held
another page
With recital Of carnage never known In any age
And the sunset Of rebellion would have made the
earth more red
With the blood of many thousands than the sunset
overhead.
When am dead, my comrade,
'Tis enough to say OF me,
That marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Some gained their fame at Gettysburg. when fame
was nearly Iosti
At Fredericksburg. Aniisiam, too. twas learned
what fame may cost
One climbed to fame on Lookout, fighting far
above the clouds!
at New Orleans one sailed to fame. Iashed 10 the
flagship shrouds
One rode to fame at Winchester At Appomattox
town,
Upon a modest soldier glory laid modest crown :
And howe'er so many battles owe success TO Sher-
mans name.
As the Mighty Man OF Marches he'll be always
known TO fame.
What; You were down In Georgia?
Then you must have marched with me
When marched down with sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Let US give three cheers for Sherman Hurrah ;
hurrahi hurrah,
Why are you silent. eomrade2 Is there something
in your crawy
What? Profess to be a comrade and yet refuse To
cheer
The grandest Of all Generals7 What motive brings
you here?
Why come to these Reunions il you haven't any
soul:
| There's home for crippled soldiers who are
neither sound nor whole;
Why. you're more deserving pity. sir, and pension,
too, swami
Than these poor shattered veterans. with arms and
legs all gonei
| IL you won't cheer Uncle Billy
Well, you can't shake hands with me-
| For marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea
| Why. there's not another being in this Nation 1
| dare say.
Not even yon Confederate-brave enemy in gray
| On such a grand occasion would refuse TO cheer,
| when bid.
| The who saved the Union, or led the men who
| did.
Uncle Billy loved the soldiers, for he had heart
! withni
heard him down in Georgia, shout above the bat
| tie din.
We were rather busy fighting, but this sentence /
| recall:
You brave boys who do the fighting, you're the
| heroes after aIl!'
/ What? You are General ShermanH
Then you'll have to cheer for mol
For marched down behind YOU