BY G. W. VAN WEIGHS.

Almost a decade thou hast battled with a patriot's band,

Whose first duty is devotion to their native land;

And no comrade but is willing, with a ready mind,

To declare thee brave and loyal to all mankind.

In thy country's hour of peril, on the battle field,

Thou wert ever more than willing all her rights to shield,

And, with true and loyal purpose, battled for the right,

Till secession's traitorous banner sunk in endless night!

Duty's path to thee is glory, glory easy won;

For a task so oft repeated is quite easy done;

Yet no one can ever chide, for thy generous heart

Ne'er will crush the poor and helpless with oppression's dart.

Every prisoner knows and likes thee, for thy friendly ways

Must attract their close attention and excite their praise;

And the few who know thee better, as a man of heart,

Would desire no nobler mission than to take thy part.

May you live in peace and plenty, happy with your own,

Till Jehovah's love shall gather 'round His august throne

All who, like you, honest comrade, follows heaven's plan

And respects the rules of virtue and the rights of man.