Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-22

before, Mr.. byers had been . prisoner AZ Co
lumbia. r. c. Tho gaining Of any news 40 10
ShernAn's army marching through the south
was most dffhcnlt The prisoners we're NOT
permitted 20 read newspapers. which an
unnecessary rule. ne at that period newspapers
were as scarce down there as the eredt, Of
the southern confederAcy, and just about 20
reliable. The prisoners had discovered. how
ever, that sherman cutting O sxath 20
the sea and they we're Wild 20 know the success
with which he was meeting. The guards we're
excited. uneasy and unusually vigflant ana
this IN itself Was enough 20 show that great
things" were afoot. A friendly negro who vas
allowed entrance 20 the prison camp vss
finally persuaded 20 secrets the latest paper In
a loaf OF bread, which he was permitted 10 cell
each day 90 Mr.. Byers' mesa" q privilege not
granted to-alL Hungry as the boys were. the
newspaper was more welcome than the broad
IL was carefully read and then destroyed The
news was olectrifylng. Atlanta IN ruinsi The
con;ederates hying before Sherman's irrcssst
iblo march, The surrender OF Savannah
demanded! The news seemed incredible.
That night as Mr.. Dyers trAmped mp snd
down his prison pen 20 keep himsch warm ths
stirring incidents read IN the morning kept
running in has head. aud at last he put them
INTO rhyme. fellow prisoner set them 70
music and the glee club was soon singing &C.
much 20 the delight OF AL but the prison
guards They, however, permitted 10 10 be
sung along with rebel songs. shortly after
%aN M AS"a AsituI loNcf VI ottufu-
wa who wore clumsy wooden leg. In place
OF the one shot Of, was exchanged Tho boys
followed a place in the wooden leg and 10 vas
the depository Of many missives from prisoners
70 trlends IN the north. Among others we're
the words Of Mr.. Byers' song. ID was speedily
set 20 music in the north. and when be was %
last liberated it was one of the first songs 20
greet him on his return. but the '-boys' cay
the tune Is not as pretty ~ the one they Gang v
prison.
now n WAS SUMO.
Petersburg had fallenl Richmond had bsea
takenl Lee had surrendered The last shos
had been fred and every prison door In the
south had been thrown wide open Ono bAimy
day in May there was a gathering Of mea h
Wilmington, ~ C. They were ragged. I'M
kempt diseased. half starved and altogether
disrepuiable-looking lot But they we're
happy. They were freei and above their
heads noated the old star spangled pennoa.
They were what was left OF thu inmates Of ths
prison pens Of the south. While the boys wore
shaking each others hands and making Q
| mighty endeRvor TO ''nn up" on the grub"
sent down by the sanitary commission q hne-
looking fellow with voice like hute. strong
and full and clear, sprang upon box. and -
| be looked down ON the loy-crazy comrades
about him he sang Adjusant Byers song.
"Our camp fires shone bright on the mountain.
That .rowned on the river below,
While We stood by our guns in the morning
And eagerly watched for the foe,
When a rider came out from the darkness
| That hung over mountain and tree,
| And shouted, BOYS. up and be ready,
| For Sherman will march to the sea-
Then cheer upon cheer for bold Sherman
Went up from each valley and glen,
/ And the bugies re-echoed the music
That came from the lips OF the men.
For We knew that the stars in our banner
| More bright in their splcndor would be
And that blessings from northlsnd would greet
When sherman marched down to the seA
Then forward, boys, forward to battle
| We marched on our wearisome way,
And We stormed the wild hills Of Resaca--
God bless those who fell on that day;
| Then henesaw, dark in its glory,
Frowncd down on the flag Of the free
But the east and the west bore standards
And sherman marched down 10 the Sec
Still onward We pressed til our banners
| swept out from Atlanta's grim walls
And the blood Of the patriot dampened
The soil where the traitor flag falls.
Yet We paused not TO weep for the fallen,
Who slept by each river and tree,
But We twined them a wreath Of the Laurel
As sherman marched down 10 the sea
Oh. proud was our army that morning
That stood where the pine darkly toverI
| When sherman said Boys, you are vearya
This day far Savannah is ours'
| Then sang We a song for our ohieftaia
That echoed DER river and lea
And the stars in our banner sbone brighten
When Sherman marched down 10 the sea-