About midnight of October 28, (1863) the rebels came off from Lookout Mountain into Lookout Valley, at Wauhatchie, Tenn., to capture the Eleventh Corp's supply train; but, to their mortification and chargrin, it proved to be part of the White star Division (2nd Division, 12th Corps), who gave them a sound thrashing, and they fled back helter-skelter, in dismay, into their lines, with considerable loss.
Attention to these verses, and I will tell no lies;
'Tis how the rebels came to take the Yankees by surprise.
They came with empty haversacks, A victory for to gain;
They said they would draw our rations
When they took our wagon-train.
They came so close upon us, So slily they did creep;
They thought they had surely caught the Yankee boys asleep.
They fired in upon us
They don't deny this tale;
That when they saw the white star their appetites did fail.
They said they never saw the like
Since ever they were born;
Before they would fight the White Star
They would go and live on corn.
Away they went on double-quick,
Saying if we come again,
We will take our rations with us,
For fear we will miss the train.
It was on the road these graybacks
Their comrades they did meet;
Some wanted Yankee hard-tack,
While others wanted meat.
The Yankees would not give it up,
As sure as we are born;
Methinks we heard the General say
We would have to live upon corn.
Had we known what we know now,
We would never went so far;
We never thought the Yankee train
Was guarded by the Star.
Where is the rest of our boys?
Why did they not come back?
They were taken sick upon the field
By receiving Yankee tack.
Now Geary say's if that's their game,
We'll go and drive them back;
We'll go and take their wagon-train,
And dine upon Rebel tack.
We'll charge up Lookout Mountain, boys,
Where they have made a stand to fight;
We'll take them when they are wide awake.
And will not go at night.
On November the twenty-fourth
General Geary took in hand
To drive them off the Mountain
Where above they made a stand;
He took with him a little force-
Advanced upon the hill-
Said he,
"My boys we'll go and see How Hardee likes his drill."
They looked upon our little force
As it was drawing nigh;
They said, "I wonder if the Yanks
Are coming up to die."
They then got in their breastworks;
They said they would have some fun;
For up the mountain they were sure
The Yankees could not come.
They laid there in their breastworks,
But little did they fear,
Until they saw the White Star
Advancing in their rear.
It came so close upon them,
It glittered like the gold,
Which sent a terror to their hearts
And made their blood run cold.
"Our breastworks are not made aright,"
The Johnny Rebs did cry,
While on every side they heard the words
"Surrender, Rebs, or die."
They left their shoes and stockings,
Through bushed they did creep,
While stones and briars plenty
Came in contact with their feet.
On Missionary Ridge they got,
Determined not to run;
The Star followed after them
And captured all their guns.
Now Johnny Rebs they felt so bad,
They know not what to do;
They turned around to look for Bragg,
But he had skedaddled too.
Now Johnny Rebs have gone so far
We cannot see their flag;
Jeff Davis says he'll have revenge,
And lays it all on Bragg;
But when he comes he'll find the Star
Will meet him hand to hand-
Determined they will not be whipped
By any such a man.
Here's health to brave General Geary, boys;
Likwise to General Greene;
Success to the veteran volunteers
And Colonel Hammerstein.
We have showed the Rebs a Yankee trick,
And will do the same again
When they come to catch us Yanks asleep
And take our wagon-train.