The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1915-06-05
SHERMAN'S r
Fred Emerson Brooks.

Fred Emerson Brooks.
The following poem was recited by
the author at the grand campfire OF
the G. A. R. in Mechanics Hall, Bos-
ton, on Wednesday evening, August
10, 1890, to an audience of fifteen
thousand people, amid the widest en-
thusiasm. The speaker approached
General Sherman, who had the seat
of honor on the stage and feeling
along the lapel of his coat until he
found the copper button, addressed
him as follows:
Excuse a blind old soldier if too eager in hi
To feel the copper button on the lapel of YOU
I've been so blind / haven't seen a comrad(
since the war,
But know the grip of fellowship found in tht
G.. A. r.
know you are a hero, though you tell ms
not your name,
So I shall call you eomrade. for the mean.
ing's just the same.
I've come to see the general-he's here,
understand
Now. comrade, lead me to him, for I'd like
TO shake his hand.
know it is an honor,
But you'll tell him this for me,
That l marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Twas the march of all the ages,-shenan
doah to the sea,
Then back again to Richmond, one Ions
march of victory
Three thousand miles of marching, with
hundred thousand men,
And a thousand banners 1ying-there wa
plenty fighting then
For It's something more than marching, witt
the elements at play
And the swarthy storm-king finging his bat
talions in the way.
It is something more than marching wherl
You are forced to fight with nature and
still more stubborn foe.
could tell you all about it
If you'd listen unto me,
For l marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
I could tell you all about it, and the reason
why twas done,
For ofttimes the greatest battle is will
smallest carnage wont
Those great chieftains-Grant and Sherman
peerless military twain
Planned to settle the rebellion in a double
fold campaign;
While Grant held Lee at Richmond, Sherman
marching through the South.
Cut off hope and all resources save what's il
the lannon's mouth.
When your enemy is helpless it is just tn
same, you know,
As when you've thrust the rapier through
the vitals of a foe.
Yes, I'm a blind old veteran,
But proud as l can be
That | marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Lee we'll knew those marching thousand
meant his final overthrow,
And to yield far greater courage than caus'
useless blood to flow,
Had those concentrated armies-veteran blu
and veteran gray
Sought to settle the rebellion in one final
fatal fray,
Fate's red history of battle would have hell
another page
With recital of a carnage never known il
any age;
And the sunset of rebellion would have mad,
the earth more red
With the blood of many thousands than tn
sunset overhead.
When l am dead, my comrade,
tbs enough to say of me;
That marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Some gained their fame at Gettysburg, whel
fame was nearly lost.
At Fredericksburg, Antietam, too, twas
learned what fame may cost.
One climbed to fame on Lookout, fighting faI
above the clouds.
At New Orleans one sailed to fame, dashed Il
the flagship shroudS.
One rode to fame at Winchester At Apo
mattox town,
Upon a modest soldier glory laid a modes
crown.
And howe'er so many battles owe success t.
Sherman's name
AS the mighty man of marches he'll Away,
be known to fame.
What? You were down through Georgia
Then you must have marched with me
When l marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Let's give three cheers for Sherman: Hur-
rah Hurrah Hurrah
Why are you silent, comrade? Is there some
thing in your craw?
What Profess to be a comrade, and yet re-
fuse to cheer
The grandest of all generals? What motive
brings you here?
Why come to these reunions if you haven
any soul?
There's a home for cripple soldiers who are
neither sound nor whole.
Why, you're more deserving pity. sir, and
pension, too, | swan,
Than those poor shattered veterans with arms
and legs all gone,
If you won't cheer Uncle Billy
Well-you can't shake hands with me
For I marched down with Sherman
From Atlanta to the sea.
Why, there's not another being in this nation,
dare say,
Not even yon onfederate-brav enemy in
gray
On such a grand occasion would refuse to
cheer. when bid,
The man who saved the Union, or led the men
who did.
Uncle Billy loved the soldiers, for he had a
heart within
l heard him down in Georgia shout above
the battle din,
We were rather busy fighting, but this SEN
tence l recall:
"You brave boys who do the fighting, you're
the heroes after all :"
What9 You are General Sherman?
Then you'll have to cheer for me
For | marched down behind you,
From Atlanta to the sea.