The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-26

Lillian Rozell Messenger begins her
Green Fields and Grey with the quoted
question: why are the songs and bal
lads once constantly sung by our South
ern troops 50 seldom heard nowadays
In the last early autumn ! visited a. htile
village of eight or ten families. NY
friend lived upon hin. az whose feet lay
a lovely valley. ln our Southern ciine
our evenings were spent on the broad
verandas constructed for every passing
breeze TO refresh us. ana thus this family
gathered after tea for chat and FOR Song
ON q particular evening banjo ana
two guitars were brought out. while "a
sweet mellow alto. TWO sopranos and "a
round fun basso formed our band We
sang the new songs and many oi the
cid. when some one of the party said
do You all remember the old war song
MARYLAND My answer came with the
chords of a sweet guitar, and out into
the stiffness of the quiet night our voices
went forth in the song. Then sprang
ont Of our ohildhood's memory the grand
old song OF Dixie" after which followed
the Bonnie Blue Flag" and the Home
Snun Dress the music and words of
which were as fresh as when my childish
voice rose in song So many years ago
when We had finished We We're AN en-
those who were younger in our circle
wanted 10 know this and that Of the
songs and the war.
The next morning these of the older
villagers told AS the ballads waited across
the valley Were clearly and distinctly
heard and. opening their windows, they
listened with sadness and tears % the
songs sung over the grave Of our dear.
dead Ccnffderacy. 10 would not DO for as
to sing those songs now as we did then.
hearts would be too sadly reminded OF
dear ones gone. and II past so sacred
TO every Southemor We should, how
ever. never forget to teach these s1ngs
10 cur children. Let them understand.
even I'm song. our cause. To me the
Southern songs OF our sreat war are The
sweetest I ever heard. ! learned 10 love
them as a child and ] will love them until
die. IN answer TO the opening ques-
tion. | reply. 1t is for the South's good.
I'm many respects that we do not sing
the songs that were sung By cur boys In
gray. They are sacred.
ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAC
THE authorship If this poem has been
disouted II is aslrbcd 10 Lamar Fon-
taine Second Virginia Cayalfy)
"All quiet along the Potomac tonight"
Tkcept now and then stray picket
is shot as he walks ON his beat to ana
fro
BY rAeman hid in the thicket.
IT'S nothmg-a private or two now and
then
viii not count in the news Of the battle
Not an officer lest only one of the men
Moaning out, all alone, the death rat'le'
IAN quiet along the Potomac tonight
Where the soldiers lie peacefully dream
ing.
Their tents. in the rays of the clear au-
tumn moon.
or the light Of the watch fires are
cleaning.
A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night
Throush the forest leaves slowly is
creeping
While the STARS up above, with their gilt
tering eyes.
Kesp guard for the army is sleeping
There is only the sound Of the lone SEN
As he tramps from the rock to the
Ard thinks OF the two in the low trundle
he'd
Far away In the cot on the mountain.
His musket falls slack his face dark and
grim
Grows gentle with memories tender,
As be mutters prayer for his children
asleep
Tor their mother may heaven defend
her.
The moon seems TO shine as brightly as
whom.
That night when the love yet unspoken
Loaped up TO his lips, and when lowmur-
INJURED VOWS
We're pledged 20 be- ever unbrOken.
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over
his eyes
He dashes Of tears that are yelling.
And gathers his gun close up 10 it's place.
As II 10 keep down the heart-swelling.
lie passes the fountain, the blasted pine
tree
The footstep is tagging and weary.
Yet onward he goes. through the broad
belt Of light,