  By J. W. PALMER. [Mr. William Gilmore Simms tells us that this poem, stained with blood, was found on the person of a dead soldier of the Stonewall brigade after one of Jackson’s battles in the Shenandoah Valley. Its authorship, long unknown, has been discovered by Mr. Francis F. Browne.—Editor.] C Come, stack arms, men! Pile on the rails, Stir up the camp-fire bright; No growling if the canteen fails, We’ll make a roaring night, Here Shenandoah brawls along, There burly Blue Ridge echoes strong, To swell the brigade’s rousing song Of “Stonewall Jackson’s way.”We see him now—the queer slouched hat Cocked o’er his eye askew; The shrewd, dry smile; the speech so pat, So calm, so blunt, so true. Silence! ground arms! kneel all! caps off! Old Blue Light’s goin’ to pray. Strangle the fool that dares to scoff! Attention! it’s his way. Appealing from his native sod, In forma pauperÏs to God: “Lay bare Thine arm; stretch forth Thy rod! Amen!” That’s “Stonewall’s way.” He’s in the saddle now. Fall in! Steady! the whole brigade! Hill’s at the ford, cut off; we’ll win His way out, ball and blade! What matter if our shoes are worn? What matter if our feet are torn? “Quick step! we’re with him before morn!” That’s “Stonewall Jackson’s way.” The sun’s bright lances rout the mists Of morning, and, by George! Here’s Longstreet, struggling in the lists, Hemmed in an ugly gorge. Ah! Maiden, wait and watch and yearn For news of Stonewall’s band! Ah! Widow, read, with eyes that burn, That ring upon thy hand. Ah! Wife, sew on, pray on, hope on; Thy life shall not be all forlorn; The foe had better ne’er been born That gets in “Stonewall’s way.” [Southern.] Banner Banner
|
|
