The Indianapolis journal., 1893-09-10
TWO WAR POEMS.
A Little History Of Two Poetical Gems In
Last Sundays Journal.

Last Sundays Journal.
Rockville Tribune.
The Indianapolis Sunday Journal con-
tanned several poems based on war seDti-
Seven Pines" aud was published q short
time after the war. and Is one of tho most
spirited poems which grew out Of the great
struggle. When General Fitzpatrick
ystsd ysae of our Ise town few old th' soldiers
kept watch with him into the wee sms'
hours of the morning. and listened 60 his
stories of march and battle. Among other
things be said that shortly after the war.
kearneys brigade. composed entirely or
New Jersey troops. held a reunion In that
State, at which Fitzpatrick presided. Some
one. he said. sent him the poem TO be read
at the brigade camp nre. lie himself CON-
mitted IL to memory. and reelted IL with
all the spirit which 1t deserved. TO the sur
viviDg followers of brave Phil Kearney.
The reception of the poem. be said. was In
discTibable The men cheered at the name
of their beloved general. and then wept
like children at the remembrance of Ais
untimely death at the head of the head
long charge of the New Jerseymen
at Chantilly. Fitzpatrick then re-
S,seS SseG wsh shs Dsem SiI the fsrSor % and ePace
of rhetoric be could command. and his
eIocutIonary gifts were as brilliant on the
platform as ever his actions were upon the
field of battle. Those wno were present &C
that evening with KilpstrIok as q bright
and fortunate event ip their lifetime.
Another 10 the famous battle poem or
Will III. ThoMpson-"Ihe High lIde et
GsttysDurg." Mr. Thompson lie now resi-
dent of Seattle. Wash. where he 10
absorbed in q large law practice. For
many years he practiced IN our courts.
where he was known as one OF the most
acute lawyers and accomplished advocates
in western Indiana. as well as a most ur-
bane and agreeable gentleman. In speak
ing to an enthusiastic admirer OF the poem.
he related how he wrote ana sent IL 10 the
Century Magazine. At that time the four
last stanzas had not been composed. It
concluded with the thought that
PIckett's immortal charge had ended
with glory alone. X. W. Glider.
the editor, at once wrote has
acceptance OF the poem. accompanied with
@ check in payment. But he also wrote
that he was strangely impressed with tho
high poetic merit OF the poem. and sug-
gested that Mr.. Thompson should add q
few stanZas. expressing the idea OF what
was gained for Cbristendom by those who
fought and
Held the hope
or nations on that slippery slope.
Mr.. Thompson at once added two glorious
stanzas embodyIng this idea and sent them.
Shortly afterward came the proof sheets
for corrections. II any. with the literary
sanction OF Dir. Glider that the poem was
now perfect But Mr.. Thompson added yet
TWO more cthuhho. duu tue were pun
lished IN the July number of tae Century
for that year. The poem attracted uni
versal attention and commentator. It
achieved almost world-w fame. An
emiDent English literary critic said it was
the n0blest battle poem in the English
language IL was translated into several
different languages. and it's author received
numerous letters from distinguished
authors and soldiers. North and South,
bestowIng the highest compliments uDon
the great iVrlc. Among than VI q letter
from the widow OF the lamented Generai
Custer. herself lady OF fine literary
attainments. thanking him for giving the
poem 10 the worlo.