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| 30 Years ago........ J.W.Reid Just thirty years ago to-day The sun rose fair and bright, And many saw the morning's ray That never saw the night. Just as the morning light appeared We met our valient foe, And soon the thundering noise was heard, Just thirty years ago. We saw the approraching legions come Prepared to give us battle. And so the awful strife begun, As cannon they did rattle, Twas "On to Richmond"they were bound, But there they did not go. Tis said we fought them three to one, But this I only know That when Johnson's army came The Federal had to go. How many brave and valient men, Of friends as well as foe, Was slain upon Manassas plain, Just thirty years ago. They came by herds across Bull Run, No further could they go, The "On to Richmond" was no fun, And there they did not go. They met the Southern boys there, And soon they learned to know At Richmond they would not appear, Just thirty years ago. The bleeding wounds and dying cries, The thundering noise of battle Did almost rend the skies, As firearms they did rattle. The dead and wounded all around Of friend as well as foe Was embraced together, on that ground, Just thirty years ago. The smoke ascended to the skies, And many brave men fell Never more on earth to rise, To bid their friends farewell The firing did not cease at all Till the Federals had to go The other road from the Richmond ball, Just thirty years ago. The place I'd like once more to see, Where Bee and Barton fell, But there I never more shall be, To bid the place farewell. Nor to see the dead all strewn around, Nor to hear the dying groan, The bleeding wounds was on that ground, But the bleeding hearts were at home. At length we found no foe to fight, They were gone from whence they came, They quickly fled from our sight And left Manassas plain. They did not dance at town that night, But swiftly they did go And dance the backward step just right Just thirty years ago. But thirty years are now gone by, How few I now can see, That heard the dying men's sad cry, That fought that day with me. They are gone to mansions on high, Where I hope to some time to go And join the band that I sttod by, Just thirty years ago. |
| Not very many people know that Jesse Reid wrote a book of poetry. While at a family reunion I found out. I do know you can't get this book.(If you do know how please let me know) . According to the files it was copy-righted about the same time as his "History of the 4th Regiment". None of his poems were titled,this I did myself. |
| Prose & Poetry Jesse Walton Reid |
| My Darling Boy The time has come,my darling boy That you and I must part; To give up now my only joy, It almost breaks my heart. When yu are gone I'll be alone, No one to fill your place, No one to cheer my lonely home, O,Father! give me grace. When your father went and left us here It almost broke my heart, But now for you to go,my dear, And from your mother part! When first this cruel war began Your papa went away, And now they take my only son From his mother's arms to-day. Your father has faced the cannon ball Since first this war begun, And now they make another call And take my only son. Though nothing but a child,my son, You can not stay at home, You have to take your sword or gun, And leave me quite alone. Go,only child,go join the the crowd, Where papa's been so long, Although the cannon thunder loud, Be valient,brave and strong. O, will my husband and my child Or either of them come, And once again be near my side, Or friends will I have none. Go,place yourself by papa's side, And be a little man, Your little faults he'll try to hide And screen you all he can. Although it nearly breaks my heart To bid you thus good-bye, The time has come that we must part, O, darling, do not cry! And when in distant lands you roam, You'll have your mother's prayers, That you may get back safely home, Or in heaven meet her there. And if on Earth we meet no more, Remember what I say, Lets meet upon that happy shore, In that eternal day. Where cannon sound was never heard, Nor sword was never drawn, Nor charging bands were never feared, Nor battle's raging storm. Where ghastly wounds,not dying groans, Are seen nor heard no more, All will be peace when Gaberiel's horn, Shall sound from shore to shore. My son,don't fill a coward's grave, Be mother's lillte man, Be like the balance of the brave, And do the best you can. Good-bye, my son, go on to-day I'll neither weep nor sigh Until I know you're far away, And can not hear me cry. |
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