(February, 1865.) So strong to suffer, shall we be Weak to contend, and break The sinews of the Oppressor’s knee That grinds upon the neck? O, the garments rolled in blood Scorch in cities wrapped in flame, And the African–the imp! He gibbers, imputing shame. Shall Time, avenging every woe, To us that joy allot […]

(December, 1864.) Not Kenesaw high-arching, Nor Allatoona’s glen– Though there the graves lie parching– Stayed Sherman’s miles of men; From charred Atlanta marching They launched the sword again. The columns streamed like rivers Which in their course agree, And they streamed until their flashing Met the flashing of the sea: It was glorious glad marching, […]

Destruction of the Ram Albermarle by the Torpedo-Launch. (October, 1864.) Palely intent, he urged his keel Full on the guns, and touched the spring; Himself involved in the bolt he drove Timed with the armed hull’s shot that stove His shallop–die or do! Into the flood his life he threw, Yet lives–unscathed–a breathing thing To […]

(April, 1865.) What mean these peals from every tower, And crowds like seas that sway? The cannon reply; they speak the heart Of the People impassioned, and say– A city in flags for a city in flames, Richmond goes Babylon’s way– Sing and pray. O weary years and woeful wars, And armies in the grave; […]

(April, 1865.) As billows upon billows roll, On victory victory breaks; Ere yet seven days from Richmond’s fall And crowning triumph wakes The loud joy-gun, whose thunders run By sea-shore, streams, and lakes. The hope and great event agree In the sword that Grant received from Lee. The warring eagles fold the wing, But not […]

Suggested by the Two Days’ Review at Washington (May, 1865.) The Abrahamic river– Patriarch of floods, Calls the roll of all his streams And watery mutitudes: Torrent cries to torrent, The rapids hail the fall; With shouts the inland freshets Gather to the call. The quotas of the Nation, Like the water-shed of waves, Muster […]

Significant of the national exaltation of enthusiasm at the close of the War. O the precipice Titanic Of the congregated Fall, And the angle oceanic Where the deepening thunders call– And the Gorge so grim, And the firmamental rim! Multitudinously thronging The waters all converge, Then they sweep adown in sloping Solidity of surge. The […]

A Picture by S.R. Gifford, and owned by E.B. Included in the N.A. Exhibition, April, 1865. All feeling hearts must feel for him Who felt this picture. Presage dim– Dim inklings from the shadowy sphere Fixed him and fascinated here. A demon-cloud like the mountain one Burst on a spirit as mild As this urned […]

Head-board and foot-board duly placed– Grassed in the mound between; Daniel Drouth is the slumberer’s name– Long may his grave be green! Quick was his way–a flash and a blow, Full of his fire was he– A fire of hell–’tis burnt out now– Green may his grave long be! May his grave be green, though […]

“Sharp words we had before the fight; But–now the fight is done– Look, here’s my hand,” said the Victor bold, “Take it–an honest one! What, holding back? I mean you well; Though worsted, you strove stoutly, man; The odds were great; I honor you; Man honors man. “Still silent, friend? can grudges be? Yet am […]

When Sunday tidings from the front Made pale the priest and people, And heavily the blessing went, And bells were dumb in the steeple; The Soldier’s widow (summering sweerly here, In shade by waving beeches lent) Felt deep at heart her faith content, And priest and people borrowed of her cheer.

Afar they fell. It was the zone Of fig and orange, cane and lime (A land how all unlike their own, With the cold pine-grove overgrown), But still their Country’s clime. And there in youth they died for her– The Volunteers, For her went up their dying prayers: So vast the Nation, yet so strong […]

On the Home Guards who perished in the Defense of Lexington, Missouri. The men who here in harness died Fell not in vain, though in defeat. They by their end well fortified The Cause, and built retreat (With memory of their valor tried) For emulous hearts in many an after fray– Hearts sore beset, which […]

Beauty and youth, with manners sweet, and friends– Gold, yet a mind not unenriched had he Whom here low violets veil from eyes. But all these gifts transcended be: His happier fortune in this mound you see.

They said that Fame her clarion dropped Because great deeds were done no more– That even Duty knew no shining ends, And Glory–’twas a fallen star! But battle can heroes and bards restore. Nay, look at Kenesaw: Perils the mailed ones never knew Are lightly braved by the ragged coats of blue, And gentler hearts […]

To them who crossed the flood And climbed the hill, with eyes Upon the heavenly flag intent, And through the deathful tumult went Even unto death: to them this Stone– Erect, where they were overthrown– Of more than victory the monument.

Over the hearth–my father’s seat– Repose, to patriot-memory dear, Thou tried companion, whom at last I greet By steepy banks of Hudson here. How oft I told thee of this scene– The Highlands blue–the river’s narrowing sheen. Little at Gettysburg we thought To find such haven; but God kept it green. Long rest! with belt, […]

Presentation to the Authorities, by Privates, of Colors captured in Battles ending in the Surrender of Lee. These flags of armies overthrown– Flags fallen beneath the sovereign one In end foredoomed which closes war; We here, the captors, lay before The altar which of right claims all– Our Country. And as freely we, Revering ever […]

No trophy this–a Stone unhewn, And stands where here the field immures The nameless brave whose palms are won. Outcast they sleep; yet fame is nigh– Pure fame of deeds, not doers; Nor deeds of men who bleeding die In cheer of hymns that round them float: In happy dreams such close the eye. But […]

The cavalry-camp lies on the slope Of what was late a vernal hill, But now like a pavement bare– An outpost in the perilous wilds Which ever are lone and still; But Mosby’s men are there– Of Mosby best beware. Great trees the troopers felled, and leaned In antlered walls about their tents; Strict watch […]