Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31

frequently but almost every time with
sundry typographical errors. The an
nexed copy has no error in IT. If. there
fore, you should follow this copy, the
publication will be correct.
WILBUR J. KILBY.
Suffolk, Va, May 2G, 1896
THE DYING SOLDIER.
By Matilda)
(Affectionately inscribed to Lizzie A
Colonel Christie. of North Carolina,
fell mortally wounded. at the battle of
Gettysburg, while CALAMITY, leading his
men against the enemy's breastworks.
He was taken to Winchester, Va, where
he was nursed tenderly until his death.
lie longed TO see his young wife, his
darling Lizzie. but when she reached Win
chester he was dead. His last words
were: Kiss me for Lizzie.")
1.-THE bravest are the tenderest;
The loving are the daring"
I am dying; IS she coming? Throw the
window open wide.
Is she coming? On. i love her moro than
all the world beside;
In her young and tender beauty. must.
OH must she feel this loss?
Saviour hear my poor petition; teach her
now to bear this cross.
Help her TO be calm and patient when
moulder in the DUST
Let her say and feel, my Father, that
Thy ways are true and just.
Is she coming? Go and listen; / would
see her face once more:
l would hear her speaking to me, ere
lfe's fevered dream is DER;
I would fold her to my bosom; look into
her soft, bright eye:
l would tel. her how / love her, kiss her
once before die.
IL she coming? Oh! tits evening, and my
darling comes not stu.
Lift the curtain; IL grows darker; II is
sunset on the hill;
All the evening dews are falling: 1 am
cold-the light is gone
Is she coming? Softly, softly. come
deaths silent footsteps on.
] am going: come and kiss me; kiss me
for my darling wife;
Take for her my parting blessing; take
the last warm kiss of life.
Tell her / will wait to greet her where tho
good and lovely are.
In that home. untouched by sorrow; tell
her she must meet me there.
Is she coming? Lift the curtain; let me
see the failing light;
oh! want to live to see her; surely she
will come tonight!
Surely. ere the daylight dieth. ] shall fold
her TO my breast;
With her head uDOn my bosom, calmly L
could sink TO rest.
1t is hard to die without her Look! l
think she's coming now;
+ can almost feel her kisses on my faded
cheek and brow;
can almost hear her whisper, feel her
breath upon my cheek.
Hark, I hear the front door open. Is she
coming? Did she speak?
No, well droc the curtain softly; 1 shall
see her face no more
TIL ] see IT, smiling on me on the bright
and better shore.
Tell her she must come and meet me IN
that Eden, land of light;
Tell her IN be waiting for her where
there is no deGth--no night.
Tell her that / called her darling, blessed
her with my dying breath. An
Come and kiss me for my Lizzie; tell her
love outlivepn death.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
l saw in last Sundays Dispatch that
Il. A. NJ. desired you to publish the song.
entitled. 1.-The Dying Soldier"
herewith enclose the copy OF song
with the above title, which was very
popular during the late war and which
| have never seen in print since. re-
produce the words from memory as we
"soldier boys" usrd to sing them as we
struggled for the Lost Cause" so dear
TO the hearts Of all who. undaunted by
fatigue. hunger, and cod, followed the
immortal Lee. Il. H. D.
Lay him down gently where shadows lie
still,
And cool by the side OF the bright noun
tain rill,
Where spreads the green grass It's veivety
sheen.
A welcome couch for repose so serene.
There lies the young soldier; see from
Flows swiftly the current whose dark
pulsing tide
Is bearing away the bright SANDS OF
life,
And Closing forever his long dream OF
strife.
Feebly uncloses the fast-dimming eyes.
once bright as the jewels which light up
A mment the gazed on the bough-spread-
ing dome,
Then whispered in anguish, oh, take, take
me home!
But no; far away Ger mountain and
Lies the home that he never shall enter
again:
Where loving ones await to welcome in
JOY. 80,
boy.
Father. when proudly you gave up your
child,
And crushed back the tears. while your
lips sadly smiles,
How vague was the thought that we
Should meet till we stood on Eternity's
shore.
Mother, again, I feel your hot tears
Roll down my cheeks; not the mldew Of
years
Nor shadow Of death can tarnish the
hiss.
The blessing you gave me in that last
hoy kiss.
There's one. too. whose fair cheeks whittier
AS she pressed to his lips her last sad
go. -.
win she soon forget? Then raising his
hand.
He Lovingly gazed on a small golden
band
That encrcled his finger. while Ger his
The shadows OF death seemed stealing
aDace:
Oh. Cod may Thy Spirit be there to
When record shall mipgle my name with
the s.ain