Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-06-05
ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK.
(Anonymous.)


/ The sun had set and in the distant west
The last red streaks had faded: night and rest
Fell on the earth: stilled was the cannon's roar;
And many soldier slept TO wake no more
Twas early spring-a calm and lovely MIGHT
Ihe moon had flooded all the earth with light
on either side the Rappahannock Law
Inc armies; resting till the break of day
Should call them to renew the fight. So near
iogether were the camps that each could hear
ihe other sentry call. And now appear
inc blazing bivouac fires every hill
ana save the tramp of pickets all is still
between those silent hills in beauty flows
The Rappahannoek. How its bosom siowsl
ftow all its sparkling waves reflect the light
And add new glories to the starlit night
eut mark! From Northern hill there steal along
Inc strains of martial music mixed with song:
star Spansied Hammer. may'st thou ever wave
over the land We shed our blood to savel"
AND stiil they sing those words; Our cause is Just
Wen triumph in the end; in God we trust;
Star Spangled Banner. wave forever wave
over land united. free and braveI''
Scarce had this died away when along
Inc river rose another glorious song
thousand lusty throats the chorus sing
With Rally Round the Flag" the hiltopS ring
And Welt they sang. Each heart was filed with low
5 rom frst IN rank to little drummer-hoy
me loud hukzas and widest cheers were given,
tnat seemed TO cleave the air and reach 20 heaven
lne Union Songs, theloud and heartfelt cheers
Fa! IN the Southern camp on listening ears,
While talking ut their scanty evening meal
lhey pause and grasp their trusty blades of steel
Fearless they stand and ready for the fray:
such sounds can stsrtle them, but not dismay
Aiasl Those strains of rpnsic which of yore
Gould rouse their hearts felt by them no more
lhaara tta1,
And all was silent the North side.
There came from Southern hill with rentle .xve,l
Theair of Dixie which was loved 40 well
by every man that wore the coat of gray,
And is revered and cherished to this day.
In Dxie's Land" they swore to live and die.
That.was their watchword. that their battle-crv
Then rose on high the wild Confederate yell.
Resoundins oyer every hill and dell
Cheer after cheer went up that starry night
rom men as brave as ever the light
Now all Is still. Each side has played its part;
How simple songs will fire soldiers heartl
But harkl o er Rappahannock's stream there floats
Another tune; but ahl how sweet the notes,
Not such as lash mems passions into foam.
B9t-riehest gem of song tis Home. Sweet Homer
Played By the band. it reached the very soul
And down the veteran cheeks the tear-trops stole
On either side the stream. from North and South
Men who would march up to the cannon's mouth
Wentnow like children. Tender hearts and true
Were beating meath those coats Of gray and blue
The sentry stont and rested on his gun.
While back TO home his thoughts unhindeScd rum
tie thought of loving wife and children there.
Deprived of husbands and of fathers care,
And stripping lads scarce strong enough to bear
The weight of saber of kuapSacl, tried
To stop their tears with foolish. boyish pride
They mishtas well have sought TO stop the tidel
Through both those hostile camps the music stole
And stirred each soldier 20 his inuost soul
From North and South, in ss,+3.athy. there rose
A shout tremendous: forgetting they were foes.
Both armies Joined and shouted with one voice
That seemed 60 make the very heavens rejoice.
Sweet music's poweri One chord doth make us wild
But change the strain. weweep as little child.
Touch yet another. men charge the battery-sun.
And by those martial strains a victory's woni
But there's strain that friends and foes will win
One magic touch that makes the whole world kin.
No heart so cold but viii. though far II roam.
Respond with tender thrill to Home Sweet Home,"