The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-06-04
THE VETERANS LAST MARCH,


T ID. II. CLAUkSoN.
During the services OF Decoration
Day an old Union soldier. while march"
ing with his comrades through the
cemetery. fell across O soldiers grave.
He was carried to his home, and died
the same eyening-an old wound re.
ceived In battle having been torn open
afresh. His last words to his wife
were: LET comrades lay me in my
grave. I'll answer roll.call In the
morning"
yea wife, Pm weary, worn. and old;
My earthly race at last IL run.
See how the sky is sheathed with goldi
The work of yonder setting sun.
As sink ing toward his place OF rest,
He throws his banner on the sky,
And floods with glory all the West.
With oil his streamers floating high"
Like sinking sun. l seek my rest,
1 hasten toward my final home;
Through years OF pam I've done my best,
For me glorious morn will como.
My strength to-day was over-tried,
My ugly wound is torn again,
And wife, believe me, comrades cried
ASH they suffered all my pain.
1.-THE march was longer than thought,
Some urged me not to make the start,
But wife. somehow | Felt ought
To go once more and do my part,
felt could not stay behind.
While comrades marched to deck the
graves
OF heroes true. and brave and kind,
Who freed the NATIoS-freed the
slavcs
'"Twas while we marched to drums
soft taps.
Along the line of tents so low.
With fearful eyes and lifted caps,
/ felt the blood begin to flow.
My wounded Limb refused to walk.
A weakness stole through all my frame
| My tongue grew thick, could not talk,
Icouid not speak comrades name.
\ II fell across soldiers grave;
And all the Boys IN Blue, SO kind and
| brave,
| Pressed to nv lips the cooling cup.
They bore me to the gentle shade,
just as in battle, long ago,
| When first this ugly wound was made,
And rudy checks were turned to snow
Just nine and twenty years are gone
Since In the charging line stood,
| hero Rappahanuock sweeps along,
And faced the cannon by the good.
The Colonel's Charge RI hear It now,
| Above the muskets deadly rattle;
| Again see the cannon pillow
Red burrows through the line of battle
II hear the shrek of falling men.
| AS on we rush the guns to Seize
The shout or-.VICroRY.-too; and then
They lay me down beneath the trees;
NY face all scorched with lannon's breath
| MY illnD all torn Win En0t or sneil,-
Thought, good wife, my wounds meant
death
| And burial where fought and fell.
mot death, 1t proved. but years of pain,
| And batting on wounded thigh;
| But now that wound Is torn again
| My hour Is comet !, too, must dlel-
| The NATIONS cost Is not all paid.
| Though thousands fell on many a field
And, by their comrades hands, were lait
Beneath the sod. whose burrows yield.
"A richer harvest-larger grain
| For patriots blood, as freely shed
AS falling dew. or dripping rain.
by men now calld, The Nations Dead.
That Nations Dead are more and more
As every passing year goes by;
wounded on Rappahannack's shore.
For Freedoms cause. at last | dlei
what weeping wife7 Brush tear
! away.
I'm ready for the Masters call.
As on that dreadful. bloody day,
In Freedoms cause. was to fall.
| My Maker both love and trust
My country. too, love her we'll
| i go O meet Him-He is just
Fear not; He doeth all things well.
1.-THE sun has set--the night has come
The creeping shadows Ger me fall
My saviour calls. He calls me home,
hear his voice. know HIS call
Farewell, good wifei he strong be brave
For 10! a brighter day Is dawningi
Let comrades lay me in my grave
| III answer roll-call-lN THE MORNING