Year: 1863

We have beer requested to publish the follow
| ing poetical letter addressed by soldier in tn,
Goth Regiment owl. to his sister in this coun
ty, which we do more for the sentiments it CON
tains, than on account of any poctical merits i
may have;


At my post am standing is dark and dreary night,
The scenery around is shut out from my sight;
with gun in my hand stand thus alone,
While my thoughts thyrc wand'rng 10 the lov'd one


at home.


Pcrchance in their slumbers thy're dreaming Of me,
| While stand here on picket in old Tennessee.
with my cartridge box on filled with po wdcr and led
| stand winking and blinking and nodding my head;
Now rouse up again and rub hard my eyes
Peep out in the darkness to rebel spies.
Not sound can hear-not a soul can see
There is no one here, only grim darkness and mo.
SO l lean my gun, while my thoughts again roam
To that circle of loved Tleft at my home
There's father with locks that growing quite gray
Who is anxiously thinking of his son far away,
Not knowing how soon he may see that sons name
Among those who in battle are wounded or slain;
Then there is mother-whata charm in that word;
What a thrill 1t creates WIENER it is heard,
The counsels she gave loom up from afar,
And shine in my pathway like morn guiding star
And you brothers and sisters methnks l can see
So earnestly looking for letters from me-
And scanning "the Union, news from "Rosy" to find;
Yes, brothers and sisters, you are oft in my mind.
While the letters you send read with delight
And pom Ter their contents when standing by night
Far away on the sentry silent and lone
Who is there can blame me for thinking of home?
Then there is another, both young bright and fair,
While my thoughts they will roam, comes in for share
Tho sweet hours wehave spent seems like dream,
In contrast with the present. SO hallowed they seem.
| wonder IL ever she thinks Of the one


Who is now standing picket alone with his guni
Yos know that she does; how gladly hail
The assurance she sends oft by the mail
SO kind and so true; ah, she shed bitter tears
When my name was enrolled with tho brave volunteers.
would say to her them IL my thoughts she could see
That her letters welcome, most welcome to me;
And oft foot-sore and tired returning TO camp,
A kind letter repays me for the long weary tramp
Bright steps in my pathway to lead along,
Are the sweet loving letters she sends me from home
Two hours and four we must stand the night thro
And then all rcoiced when the relief comes in view
To them we "present," they present in return,
Then to the right shoulder shift and to camp return
Thus hour after hour, day after day,


Our routine of duty passes slowly away.
Our friends in the North, with solicitous care
Are watching the progress we make in the war,
And we win assure them, with "Rosy" to guide,
On our Banners victory wei always inscribe.
Where ever the Cumberland army shall go
Are as brave sons of Freedom the world shall
The Butternuts find us too much for their mette
When brave Rosy" moves they shure to skedadde
And we will closely pursue them with sabre sword
Till the last reb is vanqushed and peace restored
And the Stars and Stripes float triumphant ngain
Der n land that is purged of all disoyal men.
Then tits homeward well turn and will sing we 20
"Ho frends we are coming, have conquered the foe
The rebs are defeated and all put to rout
The rebellion is ended, secession is played out"
But all, there those who will shed bitter tears
For the loss in this struggle of brave volunteers;
How many there are who in anguish will mourn,
For the brave soldier boy who will never return.
Should it be my lot in this struggle to fall,
Dear friends in the North would say to you all:
Mourn not at the fate which may take me from you;
The patriots grave with no tears view.
lie who tempers the wind to the lamb that is shorn
viii guide, guard and protect you when gone;
But wohope for the best and sad thoughts will dispeI
Aud trust in the end that all will be we'll
That the day will soon when our friends We greet
And the circle of loved ones again we shall meet.
Then keep up your courage till rebellion is crushed
Remember, dear sister, our cause tits just.
The above are my thoughts and send them to thee,
From your ever true brother, IL old Tennessee.


ALFRED B. McCREARY,
! Co. f, 26th Reg't owl.