The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-05-31


james A. Townsend. of this city,
while engaged at work for the p, W.
II b. Railroad Company at Ilavre de
Grace, Nd, picked up the following
patriotic eiTusion, written by Capt.
Jack Crawford, the poet scout:'
MEMORIAL DAY RECITATION.
Son ola Veteran? Yes, dir, and proud OF
the title too;
Proud that my sire, now sleeping here,
once wore the hondred blue;
Proud OF the record thuthp nude in Dix
les bluod-iirCked land;
Proud of the country such us he saved
from the wrccker's hand,
Proud of the starry tiag that floats so
CALAMITY above
A country reunited III bonds of patriotic
love;
Proud of the blest assurance that above
those clOudland banks,
MY fathers soul now milstcrs In the spirit
soldier ranks.
True, / was but lad. sir. when the battle
summons came,
And Ind no real conception of the pa
triotic flame
Which giowed with lurid luster in each
loyal Northman' 8 breast,
And drew them TO the colors. my father
with the rest.
hut often in the evening, when the lamp
!! was burning dim.
Sly hehu upon my lnbther knee, bne u
talk to me uf him,
| And in my youthful bosom grew u pa
tr!ot love as bright
Asthat which ncrved my father In many
bloody fight.
All through those years OF carnage my
mothers gentle face
Seemed the dread fear 10 mirror which
in her heart found p|acc-
Fear that her soldier husband in the bat
tie front might fail,
And die amid the conflict, pierced by
disloyal ball.
| How eager she scanned the papers that
brought us news Of the fight,
| Her eyes would with loyal gleaning and
| patriot fire be ali2ht,
| AS she read how the corps bad never for
| Il single moment swdrvcd-
| The gallant old Filteehth Corps, sir, in
which my father served.
| One day near the close of the conflict the
news of battle came
| And III th9list OF wounded appeared my
| fathers name--
| With lips all trembling and bloodlcs5 my
mother read this 10 me:
| John Ianc-gunsilot wound in the an
kle-amputated above the knee
With moan OF piteuus anguish she
ella ped Inc close to her breast,
| And rs to her throbhing bosom my boy
| ish form she pressed.
| She cried to the God OF battles to with
comforting hand sustain
| Inc utuf one WHO luT tEe
lay writing in kecncst pain.
My father came home on crutche', in his
| faded snit OF blue,
| And iuto his arms my lnDthe with cry
OF happiness few;
| Forgotten the roar OF battle, forgotten tho
| weeks OF pain,
AS he cried: 81 hank Cod, old mother,
live to see YOU again!
You haven't us sound "A husband as yor
| placed i'll the hnnnIo of tod.
And sent to the f'ont of battle. for meath
| Mississippi $ SOD
l left one good / tE behind me. but its loss
| III never regret,
For our dear old country is safe. mother
| and tho old nag is waving yet.
But the hard-hips aud @ kposurc through
| those years OF Qc diy strife
The trials and the rl9Ors which cling Il
| the soldier : life,
Had fastened their deadly clutches in III,
| fathers system, anil
lie became II hclple cripple, scarce ublt
| to lift hand.
At last by his loving comrades his bod,
| was hitler borne.
10 await the rcveillc summons on thu
| resurrection morn,
| Aud here, as il sacred duty, on each Me
| moral bay, &C..
These wreathc~ of beautiful flowers o'ci
| his cherished form lay.
Son of a veteran Yes. lr; and glory II
the name;
The thought of my fathers valor sets IN!
| youthful heart altauc
| With the fires OF PARROT SIN, the same tina
| filled his breast,
| When with his vNlGrous comrades to tn
| hSttle front he PRESSED.
And IL again in the future our countr
| should threatened be
by hand of domestic traitor or foemal
frCm DER the sea,
| III spring to the front Nt the summon
| aud try to battle ms brave
As the hero warrior STEPPING meath How
| ers in his hcnoIed grave.