Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-19

. Our feet, from long marching, were
naked and torn;
But not a man gt1mbied In the rank or
the file.
We bore ali our hardships with a joke
and a smile,
For jackson was with us. and. under his
eye,
Each soldier determined to do or to die.
That evening old Jack had US out on
review.
When a glance down the line showed Us
all something new
Eighty-seven young boys from old Balti-
more,
Who had run the blockade and that day
Joined our corps.
Their clothes We're respondent, all new,
spick, and span
Twas plain that a tailor had measured
each man.
When we learned who they were what a
shout we did raise!
How we cheered our new allies, the
baltimore Grays';
There were Iightfoots ard Carriers, and
Towards and Eanes,
The grandsons Of Carroll, the nephews
And as the brave boys dressed up in a
row,
You could see the pure blood OF the proud
Huguenot.
But we were old vets OF Stonewalls
Wed been fighting so long that war
seemed trade.
| And some OF Us laughed at the youngsters
so gay
Who had c, 81 10 the battle as IL coming
to piay,
And all through the camp you could hear
the rough wits
Cry. ''Hullo, young roosters? and Dan
dified cits!"
But the boys took It bravely. and heartily
nI.I
At tie hungry "confeds" by whom they
were chafed.
Till one ragged soldier, more bold than
the rest.
Fired of this rough joke. which we all
Boys. you'd better go home; It's getting
quite l,te."
Then the girllsh-face captain spoke up.
and said ,"WaitP'
They didn't wait long. for the very next
day
We were ordered right of to the thick Of
For early that morning we'd heard the
dull roar
OF the guns of our foemen on Rapidans
And all OF us knew. with old Jack in
command.
If fighting was near him. he'd at once
take a hand.
And, sure enough, soon marching orders
we got.
And we swung down the road in foot
cavalry trot.
The boys were behind US. I fell to the
rear,
10 see how the youngsters or march
would appear.
Their files were close up, their marching
I reported to stonewall, Eyes, General,
they'll do"
In a few minutes more tho action be-
gan,
We met the first shock, for we were
But we stood to our ranks like oaks of
For Stonewairs Brigade never knew how
10 yield.
Upon ~ however, a battery played
And huge gaps in our ranks were now
TIL Jackscs commanded a charge up the
We charged-ln q moment the cannon
were still.
You'll veterans be ere your boards are
In this. your first action, you've proved
yourselves bold;
III station you here-these guns you must
hold"
Then the girlish-faced captain, so straight
saluted' and said. you'll here find US
Fer. wherever stationed. this company
stays"
How he laughed. how he cheered the bold
Baltimore Grays,
But the red tide OF battle around Us still
And we followed our leader, as onward
he rode
Cried "COod-by' to the boys; take care
OF the guns
All, yes, indeedl soon the brave boys were
But not in the manner we all had be-
iieyed;
mothers who pine
For the loved and the lost OF the Mary
land Lnel
BY some fatal blunder our left was ex-
posed.
boys were inclosed;
They asked for NJ quarter, their Mary
Never dreamed Of surrender-they fell
where they stood.
We heard in the distance the firing ard
Ard douDie-quicked back to the help Of
the boys.
The guns were soon ours but on "hat
sight
Every Baltimore boy had been killed in
the fight.
Save the girlish-faced captain, and he,
scarce alive.
When he saw US around him he seemed to
And smiled when We told him the field
had been won.
And the Baltimore Grays had saved
every gum
Then Stonewall rode up and endeayored
10 speak,
But his utterance was choked, ana down
his bronZed cheek
The hot tears flowed as he gazed on the
dead.
God, pity their mothers and sistersw
he said.
Then, dismounting. he knelt on the blood
sodden sand,
And prayed while he held the dying boys
hand;
The gallant young hero said, General, I
knew
That the Grays to your orders would
always be true;
You'll miss not a Gray from our final
roll-call;
Look around you. my General-youll here
find Us all
The blood gushed from his mouth, his
head sunk on his breast
And the girlsh-faced captain lay dead
with the rest.