The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-09-16
The Sixth Maine.

mental Association at Bluehlll, August %,
1871
A campfire! Boys of the old Sixth Maine,
Shake hands all round as you meet again.
Where's the old canteen, and the blanket
torn?
The knapsack heavy, and army shoes worn
The haversack, filled with tough hard tack
And its close companion, the coffee black?
The loaded musket with bayonet keen?
The coat of blue with the buttons of sheen?
The love-letter borne just over your heart,
As talisman, bidding danger depart,
For the sake her, as loyal as you,
Her hero, defending the red, white and blue
Was it yesternight meath southern skies
You watched the old moon slowly rise?
And your thoughts went back to the north
ern hills,
With their rugged pines and dancing rills,
And you saw the shadows softly fall
On the home you left with its dear ones all ;
While around you the sentries paced their
! beat,
And the neigh Of steeds and tramp of feet;
The soldiers lying asleep on the ground,
Unconscious of war, and wars dread sound
Seemed like dream as you waiting lay
For the opening dawn of another day.
Who were they marching steadily on
Who scented afar field of corn?
And knew from experience in the east
That there was in store toothsome feast
When darkness settled on hill and vale
Soneholc to that field was found a trail.
| The coon and opossum had to bear
More blame than legally was their share.
The fence-rails essened along that way
But the campfire burned with brighter ray.
The incense of roasting corn was sweet
To the party gathered to taste the treat.
Gould it be that Stephen lessons took
Which have made him since a tirst-class
cook?
Oh, no! If search had been made Just then
n hor rbaro t1,n,
Within yoar ranks they would look in vain,
You We're honest boys in the old Sixth Maine.
Where's the regiments flag which YOU
proudly placed
On the heights of Fredericksburg, while you
faced
The fearful rattle of shot and shell,
AS ont from the ranks your comrades fell :?
And when the plying twilight came
Your roll-call was lesSened by many name.
To your aching hearts, left desolate
You said: "Close up it is but wars fate. y
For soldiers made of sterner stuff
Than at the first onset to cry: "Enough;' -
And long ere the years of strife were done
The title of Fighting Sixth you Won.
At Williamsburg and at Garnett's Hill,
At White Oak Swamp, with right good will,
You fought the foe and followed on
Till Antietam and fredericksburg were
won.
Banks Ford and Brandy Station, too,
Had proof of the work that you could do.
From Gettysburg, Yorktown and Locust
Grove,
Not one in your ranks thought best to rove
While Rappahannock felt your aid,
And Spottsylvania was afraid
OF the Fighting Sixth, whose soldiers brave
| Had only one thought-the flag to save.
Through all the siege OF the Wilderness
long,
| In that close conflict 'twi yt ripht and wrnnp
Shoulder to shoulder you met the foe,
Till thinner your ranks began to grow.
Discharged with honor in sixty-four
You felt that your fighting days were DER.
But the friendship born of mutual needs,
OF fun, of suffering, of valiant deeds,
Through all the changing years survives,
Giving you pleasure, enlarging your lives.
Loyal and steadfast each comrades heart,
Though time and distance keep you apart.
To those Who have reached the other shore,
Who beside you here will march no more,
Your hearts go out with affection fond,
Your real reunion will be beyond.
All hail to you veterans tried and true,
We give you the honor that is Your due.
We wish you Joy, and we give you thanks
For your faithful service in the ranks.
Our nations life we to you
And all who We're to their country true.
When the light of this campfire fades away,
May its afterglow in your memories stay
Frightening your future, until again
The comrades meet of the old Sixth Maine.