Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-03-15

OF Massachusetts, fearless SONS
Their cry was out, as it ought to be,
That every man had right TO be free
Come TO help us lone and all
Come with sabre ! come with ball!
Come with every drop OF blood
Ready towater Freedoms bud %
Thus he cried to Virginia's sons;
Out came horses, out came guns:
Women said "GoP' and women kissed
Never man at the call was missed.
Warm blood leaped brave men were strong,
Answering the cry and joining the throng,
Gathering from hall and cabin to bring
Their lives to pledge at Morgans Spring.
There was no name for IFS crystal then;
II now shrines "Morgan's Minute Men,"
Grateful hearts TO its waters bow,
And murmur thanks for that solemn vow.)
Stern were the faces and coarse were the coats.
Yet words lost their way in quivering throats;
Hands wrung hands in quick goodbye;
Many a tear came 10 many an eye
To backward 90 with a cruel thrill
For women and all bid their hearts be still.
Husband, wife, maid and everyone
Knew but one duty, and it was done.
Prayers went up; men knelt them down
And swore 10 ride TO Boston Town,
To help their brehren-far away
Who dared 10 open Freedoms Day
Some one said-of the gathering there
"No one asks his life to spare;
But, if pleaseth Freedoms God
To keep a few above the sod
Let us-fifty years from this
Swear TO come and greet with kiss
Each other, and the sod we've won
And hope nations BENSON"
Sabres sprang out, ramrods rang
Crossing in mid air with a clang;
True as the sound OF steel's sharp ring
Was that oath that day at Morgans Spring
The rider went on TO carry the cry
South of Potomac murmuring high.
North rode the men in an eager horde
Splashing, dashng Potomac's ford
Riding valley and mountain crown
In bee-line for Boston Town.
One hundred and twenty Virginia men.
You wreathed your brows with glory then
Had the battle gone, and the land been lost,
You offered yourselves as holocaust
Time as it rings through IFS corridors,
Has hailed you DER men emperors
Oh, what sight in the morning sun
Gladdened the face OF Washington
Dust-clad, weary, with sabre and ball.
Came the "Minute- Men," one and ALL
From nigh six hundred miles away
Each man life 10 spend in the fray
And stood in line as the chief rode down,
And asked, "Whence came you to Cambridge Town ?"
Morgan reported, with soldiers pride:
"We came from Potomac's southern side"
Down from his horse the chieftain came,
Nor said word, nor asked name;
But grasped each hand with hearty grip
Greeted each look with trembling lip
His tongue was speechess with glad surprise;
Joy flew straight from his heart and eyes;
Yet down his cheek ran silent tears
To welcome Libery's Pioneers.
They thought Of their homes OF their stern farewell.
Here were tears. Oh, who can tell
What heaved the breasts of the "Minue-Men !"
How soft or stout their hearts were then
Passing years tore naked land;
War singed it clean with its scorching hand;
But the men who saw the tears that morn
Never WINGED when fighting or starving or torn.
nation sprangup. A flag flew out;
Freedom was born and glorious shout
Went up from the earth that cause was won
The work of heroes was done well done.
Back 10 the cabin, and back 10 the hall,
Struggled the few 10 tell OF the fall
or the many brave ones who swore that day
To lot with their brethren, far away.
Then women wept: but not till then;
Now, their cause was the cause of the silent men.
When time was fifty years unwound,
Steps are heard on Halowed Ground
And three old men together cling,
To keep their oath-at Morgan's Spring.