Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-06-18
For their loves they swore wero seeret'tii
they next on earth should meet.

they next on earth should meet.
There was ono you will remember-one
you did in Richmond see,
Not friend but heartless foeman. aye an
imp of hell seem'd he,
AS that rebel sergeant cursing like a
craven breggart came
Pointing to us his revolver while we
scorned his deed of shame,
How he raved like any mailman while he
kicked our men aside,
Knowing we were weak and helpless and
that Justice was denied,
Oh If there's a place below us of which
plous preachers tell
Say will not that rebel sergeant be con-
signed to such a he'll?
Aye, and there was yet another, and
"hend incarnate" he,
How we loathed the vile Die Turner, wher
that scoundrei we would see?
Stili another | can name you--not rebel
soldier though,
For we're told that Private Murray had
been captured by the foe,
But he tried to fawn upon it-fa wn upon
his country's foes,
Till cen traitors did despse him, as in
deed, the sequel shows,
For they buck'd him and they gagged him,
and did his base notions blight,
lie was loathsome to the Cnion-loath
some to the traitor sight!
There's another, but his presence seemed
like sunshine from above,
To our hearts he worked his passage by
his tenderness and love.
And hn nfta ia
best I can,
And while traitors would confound WI,
will be a brother man"
He was not a rebel soldier-he had not a
suit OF blue
But he was a longing pris'ner and was to
his country true.
But his money brought us comfort and
his presence gave us cheer,
Oft comrade did bless Stocking, whils
he hid a soldiers tear.
All the ways the rebels robbed us Of our
money and our clothes,
All the ways in which they brought lis
many, many earthly woes,
All the ways in which we suffered. can't
be told in prose or lay.
Yet We had a CLEAN Of sunshine on the
There were blankets from the north-land
from the east and from the west.
Sent by Union synpa thizers-those who
love the Union best,
For wonder too they reached us, reach
ed us in those prisons drear.
While we tho't OF new-years turSies, and
wish'd friends a glad new year.
Stands those frowning rebel prisons or
the margin of the James,
And to-day what human horrors can be
mentioned with their names?
If we glanced upon the river then each
longing heart would stray
To some river far more lovely, near a
home was far away;
II we saw the lamp of midnight, and we
cherished friends were true.
We tho't they were gazing on 1t. and their
hearts We're with US too,
And we longed once more to see them, as
brave thousa nds did before.
AS did many who had Travelled to the
brighter better shore!
But our prison lives are over oh it is a
pleasant thought,
And We here await our furlouRhs, ere
again our friends are sought,
oh we will be going Northward. we'll go
Eastward and go West.
To meet sisters. wives and mothers. and
the children we love best,
Farewell Pemberton forever, fare thee
well, oh Libby too.
Cherished friends of youth and childhood
we coming home to you,
And will not Your smiles of welcome half
our pripfg and c1res
When once more you see us sitting in the
familiar chairs
But there's One who reigns above u.s. we
should give our thanks to Him,
For the bright hopes in the bosoms where
the prospects once were dim,
For His kind and friendly watching and
our restorations grand
From the rrowning hills of Richmond, to
our own dear loyal land
Let us pray for peace returning, with the
Union severd not.
Let us think Of those in heaven comrades
who have with us fought
Let us trust in one above us--though the
clouds may gather fast.
Let us have this sweet assurance that
sweet peace will come at last.
Camp Parole. Annapolis Nd
February Is 1865.
The lines above Were composed and
We're brought ho,na nv IoSepb Rohirsoo