Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-06-05


$40 those troops from Vermont on the
plain there;
Bid the men not to rest till they WIN yonder
crest,
No matter how many are slain there"
Like an arrow from bow did the aide-de-camp
60
On the sinewy steed he was riding;
A ball pierced his hat, but he cared not for
that
His message. those men were abiding.
Loud he cried, Colonel mne rush your
troops into line
Without one moments delaying
BY the eternal powers that height must be
ours
Without pausing for feeding or praying"
Right joyful his word the regiment heard,
And almost before it was ordered
Front Of battle was made, and every man
stayed
Awaiting the glad command, Forward
Prudent though brave, the Colonel first gave
Up the horse he would not now be need
ing;
Then in front took his stand, with drawn
sword in hand,
To begin the wild charge he was leading.
"My boys" he cried out and an exultant
shout
Cheered his speech before he could make it;
"Our orders are brief, and are for the relief
"Of the whole great army ! take it.
Twill be shown by YOU now that YOU re-
Your ancestors fought time away back,
When they struggled and blcd 'gainst the
invading red,
rs you will today 'gainst the gray back.
"Keep in touch best you can, never finch,
not a man, -
Right onward and upward the route Isl
Take no heed OF the fallen,- think Of brave
Ethan Allen,
And the day will be ours, not a doubt is.
"Our duty is plain, that summit to gain
No matter what trouble is met there:
Though some sink by the way, though some
fall in the fray,
Our orders are, simply, to get there
" Forward march, Double quick All, not
yet the thick
Storm of bullets had flown in their faces;
From the place Of their rest 10 the crown Of
the crest
1t was we'll over two thousand PAGES.
With a shout and run the charge was begun,
And part of the hill was surmounted
Ere the enemy awoke to the threatening
stroke
Upon which he never hy counted.
Quickly two OF his guns were swerved on their
runs
To check the Vermonters advances;
But brave men do not care for a shell here and
| there
Right onward and up swept their glances.
Their line never taltered, though now and
then altered
by wounded or wearied men dropping;
The goal it drew nigh, that battery on high,
And there was not moment for stopping.
And now a5afis and ole5auA IL Prise
The way up the hill side retarded
But with hands and knees they scrambled
through these,
And the hndrance little regarded.
On an open plain line was formed again,
Three hundred yards from the rebels;
And some bullets fell, premonitions of-well,
Like a scattering shower OF pebbles.
BY the thorns the flag had been torn to a rag,
But gallant young lieutenant
About his neck wound, all loosely around,
Tie gaily colored remnant
Up the steep ascent double-quicL they went,
Till before them the yards were two hundred;
The fire grew hot but they faltered not,
And their line was never sundered.
Closer yet they pressed, ranks still well
dressed,
Till the fire became internal;
But ever in front, bearing the brunt,
Cleaned the brandished blade of the
Colonel.
Now many fell, and the rebel veil
Was plainly heard in the distance
" Lie down was commanded, and every
man did
Without a show Of resistance.
They had fired not, as yet, one shot,
But now the range was easy,
Begin firing was heard, and at the word
The work that was done would please ye. .
Not one in the line but could draw bead fine
At the distance upon a squirrel,
And to hit man at that triaing span,
Why, it was simply moral.
Itwas only fun to silence gun
OF the battery bravely tended
If head was seen above the screen
OF the breastworks-it soon descended.