The National tribune., 1909-12-09

THE BATTLE OF LEWIsBURG.
\ Handsome Little Victory in West
Virginia. ar
| Editor National Tffbunes In n late
issue of The National Tribtfne appeared
brief biographical sketch from the
pen of that gallant old soldier and be-
loved comrade, Gem Fl. T. Devol, now
| of Kansas City, MD.. altogether too
brief, but characteristic ofrhis modesty
| He might well have added columns of
"reminiscences of the Goth Ohio. all of
which would have justly added to his
| biographical sketch withoub ego. ] oc-
tcasionaily have the pleasure of meeting
| Gen. Devol, and have beenyentertained
| in his excellent home. Since he only
specifically mentions one of the battles,
| the first of his regiment (and. by the
way, of special interest to the writer
because occurring on his 21st birthday
Anniversary, tho at the time on de-
tached duty with his company, I am
writing to add what may prove an ad-
ditional item of interest to survivors of
the 36th and 44th Ohio boys. Gen. De-
vol mentions some of the spOils of the
battle of Lewisburg, but one of the
boys of the 44th, whose name l have
lost, wrote up that engagement with
poetic flavor, and L append it. am not
clear it is exactly as written, but from
such memoranda as l have available L
trust there are no material omissions
or errors. I do not remember to have
ever seen it in print. II the author is
living, he will be at liberty to correct
should your publication of it catch his
attention The poem follows.--Ira X.
Alderman, seth Ohio, Maryville, Mo.
Battle of Lewisburg. May 23, 1862.
Down in Lewisburg section we had a
little action;
Old Heath thought the Yankees
wouldn't fight him;
But old Col Crook caught him on
And jerked him to the happy land of
Canaan. .
. Chorus: ......, '=
Ho, boys, no! We all for the Union go.
And We'll give the Knawha riflemen a
training:
With a minute to repent and piece of
Yankee hemp . i ..,..
Well send them to the happy land of
Canaan.
On the 2Sd of May. about the break
of day,
For Lewisburg old Heath was aiming.
And old Heath did swear that he'd eat
his breakfast there,
That he'd send us to the happy land of
Canaan.
Chorus:
When the drums began to rattle we
formed our line of battle;
Co. ID was sent out to entertain them.
When within 100 yards the rebels made
charge
For to send us to the happy land of
Canaan.
Chorus:
Our Captain was too quick and showed
Yankee trick;
He told us to lie down and do good
aiming
Every ball that flew cut rebel half in
And sent him to the happy land of
Chorus: Ea-
: st
For half an hour we fought, the battle
became hot. r.
Aftho they We're suteiof gaining:
But when our briEiae came out and
'' made them rigft-aboUt,s D.
Then they started for the3happy land
Chorus: g sen-
Oh. to us it was butfun tosee. the reb-
els run.
AS fast the testedagroura We were
gaining. p. n ~ 49,. Tt. ="
They scampered down the ridge and
burnt the river bridge '''. 49,
AS they started for the happy land of
Canaan. n ".-.-~
Chorus:
When they thought it time to run they
threw away their guns;
They left us 20 horses and four cannon
Three hundred stand of arms, ammuni-
tion all unharmed.
Which we took to the happy land of
.. Canaan.
Chorus. I
Now. If Gen. Heath is not satisfied with
this defeat,
II he'll come to Meadow Bluff where We,
are staying.
For a very moderate bill and a dose of
Yankee pills
We will send him to the happy land of
Canaan.
Chorus.
Now, it is just little walk and there
is no use to talk;
Come right along, General, and don't
be complaining
The 44th and 36th can.yery soon have
you fixed
For trip to the happy land of Canaan.
Chorus. sf
Ho. boys. no! We all for the Union 60
And Wen give the Knawha rifiemen a
training; .E.-,..
With minute to repent and piece of
Yankee hemp
Well send them to the happy land of
Canaan.
The 1st n. Y. sharpshooters.