The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-30

For the war-god stood. like Achilles at
Troy,
Darts aiming TO strike and the bravest
destroy
No records can ever the full story tell
OF those boys In Gray. who fought as
they FELL
Each roster recording its Differed list.
Must score but blank for the "un-
known" that's missed.
What chisel shall carve them. In marble
or stone.
The courage tina. faced death for South
love alone?
What graver shall etch the leal hearts
OF the men
Who persisted for love of our lost might
have BEEN?
Shall artists. with crayon. or pencil. or
brush.
Put the soul Of the man in Stuart's last
rush.
Shall limners have power to follow the
flash
OF the debonair knight. In raid or in
dash.
Cross the flank Of the foe7
What magic OF art
May twang sweenys banjo. since play
ed II its part
In thcse tragic nocturnes? flushed banjo
and song:
Gone cavalier times that to prince Jeb'
belong!
Conc Mosbys bold riders, staunch-heart-
ed and true.
Keen strategists raiding the boys In the
Blue.
From far realms Of space echo never
shall bring
Their "Haltv' Of videttes, nor their
drawn sabres' ringl
Shall canvas be woven so fair or so
great
That Ashby may ride still, defiant OF
Fate7
Shall History's ear catch the thrill of his
cry:
my Virginians. charged and then watch
his death sigh?
Gone they OF Manassas, whose glad
course was run
Ere their day-dawn had seen the set OF
Its sun,
Immortals they are!
In the Temple Of Fame
finger Of glory hath craven each name.
The voice Of the sword" claimed a
conquest that day.
When Barlow unsheathed, meeting death
in the fray;
When Bee, clarion-toned, voiced prophe-
cy's call:
Look! Jackson is standing there. like
stonewalll"
When the Stars and the Bars" won lus-
tire they'll keep
TIL the sons OF the South eternally sleep:
or like giants refreshed. her sleepers
From the Leader Of Hosts the plaudit.
"Well done!'
In the garden Of souls, mid lilies Of
light.
Repose the twin spirits, gallant Preston
and White;
While jackson. their chieftain, Crossed
over" like these.
Finds rest" evermore '1n the shade Of
the trees
Not Prometheus had dared the impious
thought
The spark to relume by loved Pegram
once caught
OF the altar Of life; in pureness OF youth
Twas returned to his God, for country
Ceased the bay OF his war-dogs. ended
Turned to ash the hearts fire that famed
in his face.
Gone Rhodes, too, and Gordon, young
Hampton and Mari,
And Lees Gallant Pelham" eclipsed as
star.
While the South's call ITO arms" through
out the States pealed.
The "Howitzers" and blues" ploughed
many field
For grim Death. the reaper;
The harvests OF slain
Lay heaped in those burrows. like
windows OF grain.
By Chivalry sired. they wero knightliest
sons
OF Richmond. Queen City. who stood to
those guns;
In prowess supreme. unconquered they
died,
virginia's "old Guard" her bulwark and
pride
Mccarthy, Page, Gibson. Wise, Thorntoni
The roll
Lists legions Of heroes who bear on the
soul
The name Of Virginia. blood-written. I
ween.
As Calais the lost, on the heart OF her
queen
One race and one country, one fame ana
one crown,
Claimed the brothers, Conrad, two lives
casting down;
And Coleman, the scholar, forsaking his
pen,
Grit his sword to his thigh and died
with his men.
No wing in its flight finds an uttermost
reach
Where the dust Of such braves no les
son shall teach.
When the true and the pure are called
from the sod,
Glad legions will bask in the smile OF
their God:
And, when the deeps of the seas shall
give up their prey
There will rise valiant souls who fought
for the Gray;
"Virginias" and "Sumters" their anchors
have cast.
And THE Bonnie Blue Flag" is furled
at the mast;
But a deathless renown is theirs on the
main
Who sank overwhelmed;
Neither died they In vain,
Since their country but claimed duty
well done.
With guerdons Of honor in her defense
won.
Death binds not the South, nor the South
rons who died
To crown her mong nations their glory
and pride.
OF heritage pure. and OF honor I'M
stained,
Proud queen she will reign, as Away she
has reigned.
Thick strewn as the star-dust mid cloud
fields on high,
Arc The graves Of her dead she will
treasure for aye,
For the peace Of Gods favor makes holy
the ground
Where the watchlights OF Heaven shine
back from each mound.
Wen guard, then. these jewels she trusts