IN MEMORY OF MY BROTHER.
Young as the youngest who donned the Gray, True as the truest that wore it, Brave as the bravest he marched away, (Hot tears on the cheeks of his mother lay,) Triumphant waved our flag one day — He fell in the front before it.
Firm as the firmest, where duty led, He hurried without a falter; Bold as the boldest he fought and bled, And the day was won — but the field was red — And the blood of his fresh young heart was shed On his country's hallowed altar.
On the trampled breast of the battle plain Where the foremost ranks had wrestled, On his pale, pure face not a mark of pain, (His mother dreams they will meet again) The fairest form amid all the slain, Like a child asleep he nestled.