Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-29


an Old Cadet)
The thund'ring cannon swept the slope.
they swept the deep ravne:
Their shot tore thro' the southern ranks
and ploughed the ground between.
The siltt'ring lines Of Sisel stood, twofold,
upon the hill;
And from its crest that storm OF death
swept back the Rebels still.
In vain was many a gallant deed OF SOL
dler's duty done:
Ere they could rout their serried foes the
batt'ry must be won!
And now they've ordered forward-to
The glorious Boy Battalion, Virglnias
youngest sons.
This was the boys first battle! They
burned to strike the foe.
Their hearts are wild for Glory. and. with
a shout. they go,
Three hundred schOol-boy sofdiers-three
hundred hero elves,
And some whose cleaning rifles were
taller than themselves.
They charged, like men of iron nerve. on
thro' the shot and shell;
Nor broke their step, nor waved their
line. tho many a youngster fell
The sunshine on their colors. the Flag of
Liberty!
The sunshine on their bayonets. gallant
sight TO see!
They crossed the broken ridges, they
passed the deep ravine:
Now. struggling Up toward the guns their
glittTing line was seen;
And still the northern cannCnier5 poured
grapeshot from each gun,
And aye the Gray Battalion unflinchngly
press on.
hearts that taste Of Glory's cuD;
And as their stricken comrades fcl the
less'ning lines closed up
The noblest sight conqu'ring n'id Of
battle ever gave
The charge Of that battalion, so young
and yet so brave,
on swept the Gray Battalion, on, UP the
slopng hill.
The sunshine on its bayonets. it's colors
waving still,
Dauntless it faced the cannon, needless
OF those who fell;
For, even IN her urchins, Virginla's blood
will tell.
The boys were on their mettle-full in
both armies view;
The nearer 70 the Yankees the taller each
boy grew:
On! said every brave Young heart, on TIL
our work t. donei
On! though the boys are falling. On! till
the guns are won!
Still, still the cannon Numbered; death
blaZed into their eyes:
But still the Gray Battalion swept on
toward its prize:
On! through the flaming battle, inward
until, at last
In 'mons the blazing cannon, the rleam-
inS bayonets passed!
In vain. the swarming Yankees fought
'gainst the boys attack:
No foeman's arm could stop then-whor,
death could not hold back
The boys stood wildly shouting, round
each captured gun!
And sigers line was broken, the blazing
While. now they turned their cannon upon
their beaten foe.
The southern line-a gallant sight!-came
charging from below.
inc patriot bayonets swept the ridge; all
who dared stand they moved;
And sigers army. routed went flying
The heroes OF that battlefield drank deep
OF slory's joys.
The congu'ring Gray Battallon-the gall
liant southern boys.
Their fame viii live forever. az long as
war is taught!
a lesson 70 the ages-how our battalion
fought.
sand while virginias mountains stand
go. and while her rivers flow.
sun VIII she rear patriot band-her
Car, guard 'gainst every foe.
SIN, while she marshals her brave sons
TO learn the soldiers art,
The halls whore "Stonewall'' jackson
m taught will be Virginia's heart
The patriots OF the time 10 come--lhe SOL
diors whom she roars.
VIII ever prove them worthy sons Of her
great cavaliers,
Inher'tiny their names and fame. stand
in their fathers place.
The ody-guard OF ireedom--virglnia's
warrior race.
And, aye as the battalion hears the roll
Ing OF the drum.
Shall mighty mem'ries stir the breasts
or captains vet to come,
Bright mem'ries Of that glorious field.
OF ITS victorious fight.
Grand mem'ries Of its gallant dead who
died for home and right.
Heroes or battles yet unfought will learn
their duty here,
To tread the path Of glory on. without !
reproach or fear.
To tread the path OF Washington! OF Jack
son, and of Lee,
To battle for their country! to keep Vir-
ginia free
We know not. down the ages, what other
wars may come.
What other foes may gather, TO rob us Of
our home:
But THIS we know; her spirit still lives
cen as OF yore:
Hcr line OF heroes fan not: nor shall
forevermore!
Her body-suard Of freedom stands in I'M
And God will raise her leader at the ap-
pointed hour!
The graves OF her great Rebels her rally
ing-ground will be:
No matter who invades her. Virginia will
be free?
HENRY II. HARRISON.
NOTE.-General Breckenridge. then the
Confederate Secretary OF War. told me
in Richmond in January. 1868. that the
charge OF the cadets at Newmarket was
the most splendid sight which he had
ever Witnessed He said that they got
into the charge without his knowing II:
that he had tried to keep them out OF
harms way. He heard the army cheer