The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-11

Back in the years when you and were young,
Over the land the herald trumpet blew.
The bells rang out with thrilling, clamorous tongue
stirring call TO all the brave and true.
The call to arms went sounding through the skies
And in the South there beat the discordant drum
And cleaning swords and fierce contcnding cries
Told that the dreaded hour at last had come
The fiat had gone out, the grand appeal
To Him who holds the Nations in his hand
Come honor or dishonor. woe or veal.
Freedom should reign the guardian of our land
Down from the hillsdes where the green corn
sprung,
Up from the wales where toiled the sturdy swain,
Out from the mills came pouring old and young.
Each heard and needed all. the raliying strain.
They gathered there upon the village green.
Lighisome of heart. but patriots every soul;
Pupils of war. though peaceful there the scene,
And first was heard the calling of the roll"
Here" cried the son, and kissed his mothers
The last fond kiss from lips she e'er might feel;
"Here!'' cried the husband from his wifes EN-
He broke, aud girded on the shining steel.
"Here!" " spake the lover with lingering glance
In eyes whose iove-gbt he should ne'er recall
'Here!n said the father. as he took his shining
lance,
And turned from son, from daughter, wife and
all.
And then the legions formed and marched away
Marched while the stirring fife and bngle blew
Marched while the banners nuttered fair and gay
Ger hearts whose pangs those Watching never
knew.
Far down the village street, and out Of sight.
They marched fuor vet had learned the soldiers
tread),
They marched into the darkness and the night
Peace. home and love behind. aud war ahead!
And slowly backward to their homes berefr,
Went wife and sweetheart-many an anguished
soul.
And mothers clasped their babes the sole left.
And this was when at lirst they "called' the
roll.'
Changes the scene, and in the raliying camp
Gather the Iegions for the pending strife
Marches aud drills. the never ending tramp,
To rolling, rattling drum and screaming fife;
The tiresome dress parade. inspections morn.
The camp patrol. the picket through the night,
The rattling rcveille. the mellow horn.
Calling from sleep al break Of morning light;
Perhaps the guard house loaded pack.
When some infringement of the rule was made
And then the storm and cold, the midnight black
The rough. hard ground where weary limbs were
laid;
And all the ills that mortals well could bear
Until the burdened heart had welt nigh burst.
All break upon u.s. for they all were there.
Then after some long march, fur into night.
Wearied the soldier slept, a niggard dole
OF secp-lhe rallyin. drums at dawning light
Woke him from rest, aud then they called the
roi.
But bark. far in the front deep sound breaks,
And 'er the hills the rolling echoes rum
And from the crags the muitering thunder wakes /;
The soldier hears and knows the opening gun.
Then from the line of pickeis far ahead.
A scattering volley trcmbles on the air.
Then hurried orders. quick and sharp, are said,
And for the fated moment all prepare.
The tents 60 down. the brisiling bayonets geam,
The squadrons form and sabers kiss The sun,
The lines are formed, and in the mornings beam.
The march TO death glory has begun.
The soldiers heart! what strange emotions glow,
The loved n; home, the peris OF the hour,
Bnt he alone WHO all has felt can know
How all these things o'erwhelm him with their
power.
But e'er he goes down to the jaws Of death
Down where The bells Of fate or glory toll