"Den you must send de corp'l's guard,"
Said Dinah, with a look Impatient, sharp, and very hard, "For to protect de cook."
"Here, adjutant," the colonel cried, "Go set a guard to see
That, when again the fowls are fried, The rogues do not cheat me."
Then Dinah went to work again,
And in good time prepared
A breakfast luscious, though but plain,
In which no pains were spared.
With gusto, Tarleton and his staff
Now ate the food well done-
It was a scene to make one laugh-
And then they travelled on.
But when they came to Charlottesville,
The legislative hall
Was vacant, closed, and very still-
No members there at all.
All had escaped, save one or two,
Too weak to leave the place,
And knew no better way to do
Than knuckle in the race.
In haste the colonel pushes on
To Monticello's shade,
Full sure of seizing Jefferson-
Main object of his raid.
But, well forewarned, the able chief
Slipped off without delay,
While Tarleton, smothering his grief,
Turned round-and rode away.
Thus, 'twill be seen, the colonel had
Of chicken fried partaken; And Jefferson was very glad, For it had "saved his bacon."
RECITED AT THE REUNION OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, JULY 3, 1890, AT PORTLAND, ME.
WHO shall tell in rhythmic measure
All the story of the war?
What became of untold treasure?
Who shall tell what it was for?
How the conflict, like no other,
Spread affliction far and wide;
Brother madly fighting brother,
Fiercely ranged on either side.
Oh, the wicked, fatal error
Of the rash resort to arms!
Filling every heart with terror-
Every day with war's alarms!
Now I mind me, when I started
On life's mission, long ago-
Only just from boyhood parted—
I beheld the signs of woe.
North and south I saw arising,
Plain before my anxious eyes,
Little clouds, not yet surprising,
On the face of tranquil skies.
True, to some they foretold danger,
Meagre as their forms appeared;
Not so to the passing stranger:
He saw nothing to be feared.
Nor was any early meeting
Thought at that time to impend, Of these clouds portentous-fleeting Whereso'er their motion tend.
Peace and Plenty held their places,
Smiling on a happy land;
All serene their air, like Graces
Crowned with beauty, hand-in-hand.
Strange that at a time so cheering
I should see in vivid dream
Armies in the skies appearing,
Hostile in degree supreme.
What, I asked myself in wonder,
Does this startling vision show?
Is it this-in doubt I ponder-
Must we meet a foreign foe?
Seemed no cause for such collision,
All was quiet over sea;
What should aid to a decision
In the matter, puzzled me.
But at length the clouds, expanding,
Move in angry aspect near,
Dark before each other standing,
Touching patriots' hearts with fear.
Look! what means this strange communion? See! emblazoned on each cloud,
In letters bold, the word DISUNION!
All alarming, fierce, and loud!
Hark! what sound is that conspiring,
Rumbling, trembling, from afar?
'Tis from guns on Sumter firing!
Tocsin dread of civil war!
Oh! what act of direful madness!
Oh! the folly of the strife!
Oh! what cause of deepest sadness!
Who shall save the nation's life?
Such was my first exclamation,
Standing near the helm of state;
Whence should come the declaration
That should my distress abate!
"To arms! to arms!" the cry went forth From LINCOLN's proud and lofty post.
"Wake! East and West and South and North! Spring, spring to arms, a mighty host!
"Our flag insulted bids you come;
It calls for patriots strongly nerved;
March quickly, cheered by fife and drum,
The UNION it must be preserved!"
As when the mighty river's banks
Are swollen by the sudden flood,
The people rushed to fill the ranks,
And in a solid phalanx stood.
The nation's capital their aim,
They moved at once in grand array, As line on serried line they came Their noble chieftain to obey.
A brief suspense, and then they start
To meet their bold and threat'ning foe;
Each man inflamed to do his part,
Nor any hardship to forego.
Now, soon is heard the clash of arms,
Afar the cannon's angry roar,
O'erwhelming all with war's alarms,
That spread, like fire, from door to door.
Too late! the fatal shot was fired
When aimed in hate at Sumter's shield; Almost, alas! all hope expired
When patriots fell on battle-field.
Too late! too late! the war goes on
In blood and carnage-oh, how long!
Until, at last, the RIGHT has won--
Until defeat o'erwhelms the WRONG.
Peace now resumed her rightful sway; Those hateful clouds have disappeared; DISUNION Sank with them away,
And UNION her proud ensign reared.
Flag of our free, united land,
Float on! float on! o'er sea and strand!
We greet thee, seen away from home,
In foreign climes, where'er we roam,
With pride and satisfaction pure,
A shield and safeguard strong and sure.
Float on! float on! no longer fear!
All hearts are with thee, far and near.
Float on! float on! from shore to shore!
Float on float on! forevermore!
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