TO MY LOVED ONES AT HOME

Written at: Gordon Mills Gap 25 April 1864

Away from home how slow the hours pass wearily along.

I feel alone though many men around me throng.

There�s none that looks on me in love wherever I may roam.

I�m longing for thy gentle smiles, my dearest ones at home.

I look around, strange things I see, much that is fair to view.

Men�s art and nature�s handiworks, and all to me is new.

But oh! I feel my joys were more, if while amid these I roam,

It could be shared with those I love, my dearest ones at "home".

Blow, Blow, ye winds and bear me on my long and weary way.

Move on, slow hours; more swiftly move, and shortly bring the day

When victory is won, and battles o�er no more will I roam,

But I, again, shall be with those I love so well � at home.

-- By Don Elias DOWNING

____________________________________________________________

Civil War Poems by:

DON ELIAS DOWNING 1861 - 1865

LITTLE EMMA JANE

Dearest sweetest little Emma innocent and gay,

Blythe and merry as a linnet, is the month of May,

Chirping sweetly to thy sisters all the livelong day,

Chatting sweetly to thy mama in the sweetest way,

Oh, I long to see thee Emma, at thy infant sports,

To see they little tiny hands � how busily they work,

Arranging all thy childish toys, upon some little shelf,

And hear thy little tongue, the while chatting to thyself.

I�d love � if it were possible � to be home again,

To take a playful romp with thee, my darling Emma Jane.

I�d love to hear thy infant song, and hear thy childish prattle,

I know t�would cheer the drooping heart of a soldier used to battle.

� By Don Elias DOWNING - 1863

Note by: -Arthur "Art" Allen MOORE III

Civil War Poems by:

DON ELIAS DOWNING 1861 - 1865

TO JANE

I�ve traveled East, I�ve traveled West, I�ve borne a weary lot

But in my wanderings far and near, you�ve never been forgot.

The love that first burst from this heart, burns still for thee, my wife,

It grows still stronger as it flows, this first love of my life,

And though we love each other well, time came for us to part.

Sweet � time, Sad time, the time for separating, we two � but one heart.

I wonder, Janie, often yet, when sitting in my tent,

If you remember how your smile rekindled love�s full vent.

Cheek touching cheek, our eyes look, the love our hearts did feel,

When in our hearts, two full for words, with unallayed zest,

Each prayed unto our God that others may be blest.

� By Don Elias DOWNING - 1863

____________________________________________

Civil War Poems by:

DON ELIAS DOWNING 1861 - 1865

OUR LITTLE JOHN TIMOTHY

His busy hands are folded now

His sweet blue eyes are closed

For death has paled his rosy

And his Death Seal imposed.

His voice is hushed:

It�s gladsome toneIs heard on earth no

And sad are evening walks and lone

So full of light before.

Oh, Dearest Jane, long will we miss

The coming of his feet

The sweetness of his childish kiss

That used our love to greet.

And his dear sisters, midst their flowers,

They oft may pause and say,

Our Heavenly Father, to his bowers,

Has borne our "Bud" away.

But Darling One, his precious

Of four short years below,

Has been with a blessing rife

More than we, here, can know.

For e�en a strangers heart had

And a kiss for thee to spare,

And now, though gone to dwell alone,

Earth�s regions seem less fair.

Since he is taken from our

With his sweet winning ways,

Let�s deem it but an emblem bright

Of heaven�s immortal days.

� By Don Elias DOWNING

_____________________________________________

Civil War Poems by:

DON ELIAS DOWNING 1861 - 1865

A PASSING THOUGHT

When life�s young journey I began,

All glittering prospects charmed my eye

I saw on life�s extended plain,

Joy after joy, successive rise.

But soon I found �twas all a dream,

And learned fond pursuit to shun,

When few can reach their purposed aim

And thousands daily are undone.

� By Don Elias DOWNING - 1863

______________________________________________

Civil War Poems by:

DON ELIAS DOWNING 1861 - 1865

CAMP VERSUS

Of camps there�s a great variety

Of every kind and sort,

And at the many camps I�ve been

There�s many kinds of sports,

But fun that camp affords you

Is rather new and racy.

It must be camp amusements rare

For the ladies young and tasty.

If such a camp could e�er be

By our soldiers in the rank,

I�m sure we�d pass the joke around

Like the gay young soldier Frank.

Strange things and rumors oft we hear

Of camps in which are scamps

But the Union Army�s always clear

Of soft camps like your camp.

Of all the different camps I�ve seen

Since I�ve been a Union Yankee

I�ve never seen a camp so green

As your camp was by Frankie.

� By Don Elias DOWNING - 1863

___________________________________________

Don Elias DOWNING - Military Record

Source: National Archives Civil War Compiled Military Service Records -- Pension # 268362

_______________________________

_______________________________

CAPTAIN  DOWNING