Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-05-30
MAY 80.

Hang out the flag, the dear OLD nag upon
the outer wall.
/ bear again the hfe's shrllI notes. Iue Ou-
gle's mellow call. :.
Once more the veterans fill the ranks, IN
files not serried, though,
As when they marched into the south some
thirty years ago.
I hear the sound of marching men, the
tramp of myriad feet
The steady footballs echo all along tne
paved street,
Their follow where "Old Glory leads,
with solemn step and slow,
Not light and springy as they marcneu
some thirty years ago, -
Year after year they fewer grow, thelr
ranks are thinning fast,
And more graves dot the hillside slopes as
every May goes past,
And gray heads nod along the line where
dark hair used TO grow
When marching down in DiXie's land some
thirty years ago.
1 seem to view again the scenes when men
went marching forth;
I seem to see again the grand uprising OF
the north;
I hear again the echoiug cheer, the plaud-
its of the crowd,
And see the boys march to the front Win
valiant mlen ana prOuu'
I see the fathers brief farewell, tue
mothers fond embrace;
I note the lovers sad goodOy, inc 4orn
wife's tear stained face;
The children's half bewildered look SO
suited To their years,
When tinsel and display so Ill seem cause
for mothers tears.
hear the ringing cheers for those VINO re
marching forth 10 meet
Honor and fame and victory, perchance
death or defeat.
Some went to meet a shattered life, with
valiant hearts and brave,
And some. like those who march to-day,
were marching toward the grave.
I seem to see again arise the clouds oil sui
phurOuS smoke;
hear again the changing hoots, the saoer's
vigorous stroke;
| hear the ping Of mimic balls, the eau
mons loud moutned roar,
The clash of steel, the human yeIls, the
fiery hate OF war
I see the bloody pictures madeupon land
I zee the comrades parched lips wet from
the same canteen;
see men die for other men; see the true
and brave
Form comradeship and brotherhood that
LASTS beyond the grave.
1 hear again the battlecry that rang al NAL
vern Hill,
The cheer that rose at Round Top, the
shout ut charlottesville;
I see again the sailor men sweep up through
Mobile bay;
1 see the sights on Lookout Helghts ana
Allatoona's fray.
1 see the famous seaward march; see the
bummerS' fOraY;
I see tue mine at Petersburg burst up with
columns CORY.
The panorama passes on, with SnrleK ana
veil and rattle,
The papdemouium aud din and carnage OF
the battle.
Now all goes Calmer once again, and John
uies hOmeward march,
And flags are waved, and cheers are given,
and towns their highways arch.
Sweet peace smiles on the land once more,
but many sad tears flow
For those who staid in Dixie's land some
thirty years ago.
The panorama's passed away; the years
have sped along;
l hear again the tramping feet, the murmur
Of the thrOug.
IT'S not gala day parade, nor yet mar
tial show,
/ As when they marched to DiXle's land some
thirty years ago.
Hang out the flag, the dear old flag, upoH
the outer wall
/ When sounds again the shrill-toned fife,
the bugle's mellow call.
| Oncs more the veterans iii the ranks aud
tramp with footsteps slow
/ To honor dead who tramped with them
some thirty years ago.
/ They hide no hatred In their hearts Tor
/ those who wore the gray,
! But comradeship Of bygOne years will bind
brave hearts for aye.
With those who struggled side by side fra
ternal love must grow
As ranks grow thin Of those who marched
some thirty years ago.
HARRY J. SHELLMAN.