ClassPsS a34 C l Ro„k .\,45W4 JSENTED in' \ () | \J ■M apd O0ejrPoe/i?s 'Pi&ures bjf Will H. Chandlee Press of GIBSON BROTHERS Washington, D. C. .1.4-5 W4- DEDICATION. To the many friends who have so generously assisted me by their subscriptions, thus making its publication possible, this little book is dedicated, with the hope that they will find as much pleasure in reading it as I did in making the canvass, stating the purpose I had in view, receiving the subscription, and hearty good wishes for success in my undertaking. It is indeed gratifying to me that I have been able to secure unsolicited, in the sense of asking any one directly to subscribe, a list of over five hundred names, all of whom I can truly say I know personally, and they are all my friends. The Author. CONTENTS. PAGE. We Rode with Little Phil 7 The Girl that I Need Not to Name 1 1 Washington 13 The Boys of Sixty-One 15 Our Good Old Friend, Sam Cross 19 In Memoriam 21 March and Battle 23 Sweet Nan of the Mahoning 27 My Papa Hick It 30 Marian, My Marian 31 Suggested by "Your Mission" 33 The Halt for Coffee 35 Adele 37 Quay at Fredericksburgh 38 Soliloquy of a Stay-at-Home Patriot 42 War and Peace 44 Pleading of a Stay-at-Home Husband 48 The Man with the Hole in the Seat of his Pants 50 The Sad Story of Mr. McCarty 52 The Picket Fire 54 I Am Ten Dollars Out 58 John Schneider's Trip to Atlantic City 60 John Schneider's Trip to Norfolk Town 62 Little Johnny Schneider in His Bran New Suit 64 Preparing to March 66 My Father Was a Soldier 69 Campaign Song . 71 Retrospection 73 The Mahoning Oil Boom 76 The Foolish Virgin 78 Wattie Has Come Home 79 The Passing Army 80 The Story of the Book 83 5 Oh, days of great and glorious deeds, Of valiant men and gallant steeds, As back to you my memory leads, My blood throws off its chill; And I'm again a sturdy blade, In loyal blue once more arrayed, As when by danger undismayed, I rode with "Little Phil." We numbered twice five thousand men, Such as will ne'er be seen again; The pride of bravest manhood then, Did all Our columns fill; And they were made of sternest stuff, With iron frames and sinews tough, Reckless of danger and usage rough, Who rode with "Little Phil. " Like lightning flashed our saber stroke, With tongues of fire our carbines spoke, Our cannon thundering echoes woke, Our shells screamed fierce and shrill; Like torrents from the mountain side, Sweeping the valleys far and wide, Leaving behind the foes that died, We rode with "Little Phil." Through Shenandoah's fertile vale, We left a charred and bloody trail ; The theme of many an after tale, That volumes well might fill; Fair Richmond's hills we circled 'round; At Five Forks glorious work we found ; While Appomattox fitly crowned The fame of "Little Phil." Where'er our columns onward swept, Our foes in constant dread we kept ; Along our front war never slept; No voice said: "Peace, be still!" Through dust, and mud, and cold, and heat, Through storms of rain, and snow and sleet, Ready, and eager, the foe to meet, We rode with "Little Phil." On many a bold and daring raid, We 'round our foes wild havoc played; While on their best supplies we preyed, Our haversacks to fill. We struck their flanks that shrunk before us, Then swiftly on, our good steeds bore us ; While oft we cheered in lusty chorus : "Hurrah for 'Little Phil!'" 8 3farroara mt gallop, tmlj? thina, xtttBttitia, Augljt but llf* fne ttfat btfatt via \a flmng, Tfyatat, man, ana oabrr bktttoa itt ant bnttg, In battles great, we bore our part, And felt that all the subtle art Of war our leader knew by heart; And we'd have followed still, Though storms of canister and shell Swept through our ranks ; the gates of hell We would have charged on with a yell, If led by "Little Phil." Like tiger crouching for his prey, Our squadrons in concealment lay, Until the crisis of the day; Then quick, with matchless skill, Straight as an arrow from the bow, To strike one great, decisive blow, Galloping forward, bending low, We rode with " Little Phil." Into the ranks of the enemy crashing, Right and left, rapidly bright sabers flashing, Onto the guns of the batteries dashing, Governed by the one mighty will. Forward we gallop, unheeding, unseeing, Aught but the foe that before us is fleeing, Horse, man, and saber blended in one being, We rode with ' ' Little Phil. ' ' I'd rather sleep among the dead, Along the track of glory red, O'er which our charging squadrons sped, Than not have felt the thrill Of soldier joy and fierce delight At being in that glorious fight, As onward with resistless might, We rode with "Little Phil." Oh, days of great and glorious deeds, Of valiant men and gallant steeds, As back to you my memory leads, My blood throws off its chill ; And I'm again a sturdy blade, In loyal blue once more arrayed, As when by danger undismayed, We rode with "Little Phil." 10 THE GIRL THAT I NEED NOT TO NAME. 'Twas in years that are now long ago, That acquainted right well I became With a sweet little maid you may know, As the girl that I need not to name. I loved her right then, well and true, Her happiness was my sole aim; There was nothing that I would not do For the girl that I need not to name. Now I love her each day more and more, She says she loves me just the same ; I've told it a thousand times o'er To the girl that I need not to name. She's my true love, my sweetheart, my life; And existence to me would be tame, Should my loving be turned into strife, With the girl that I need not to name. I get hugs and sweet kisses galore, That set my heart all in a flame ; Yet I'm constantly asking for more, From the girl that I need not to name. Oh ! as nothing are riches to me, And as nothing, earth's honors or fame, If through all of my life I can be With the girl that I need not to name. ii You ask, why we never have wed? And you think it is truly a shame, That I've not to the minister led This girl that I need not to name. Now you need not let this make you sad, Or think me deserving of blame; For I am the fond, loving dad Of this girl that I need not to name. WASHINGTON. When Freedom's form was well nigh crushed Beneath a mighty tyrant's heel, Then an insulted people rushed To arms! — a nation's last appeal. The struggle fiercely then begun, 'Twas nobly led by Washington. First where carnage wildly rages ; First where each fierce foe engages ; First where balls and shells are flying; Where mingled friends and foes are dying; First in pursuit where f oemen run ; "First in war" is Washington. The struggle past, the victory gained, Fair Freedom stands where once she lay; Our independence well maintained, Through many a dark and bloody day. 'Twas bravely fought and nobly won By freemen, led by Washington. First to rule what he defended ; First in council as in daring ; A soldier and a statesman blended For fame and power little caring. No other man beneath the sun Could fill the place of Washington. 13 At home, behold the warrior there, His home for him has many a charm; His country's good, his greatest care, His next, to manage well his farm. When freedom's gained and war is done, Then, "first in peace" is Washington. Though in its dark and silent home, His form is mouldering away, His memory still survives the tomb; He lives in every heart to-day. There has not been since time begun A name so great as — Washington. First in honor and in glory; Praised alike in song and glory ; No nation's history can show So great a man without a foe. America has not a son But loves the name of Washington. And as once more returns this day, One thing alone should be our aim ; To drive all care and toil away, And keep it sacred to his name. Thus then we'll show to every one First in our hearts is Washington. February 2 2d, 1867. 14 fe^Q^Ss^SIXTYONE All honor to the gallant brave ! Their part was nobly done, They freely offered, freely gave Their lives, their country's life to save- The boys of sixty-one. When at old Sumter's stubborn wall Boomed many a rebel gun, The Union trembled at its fall; Then answered to their country's call The boys of sixty-one. From every valley, plain and hill, They marched for Washington ; From farm, and school, and shop, and mill, They come, the loyal ranks to fill, The boys of sixty-one. They grasp their guns with eager hands; The blue they proudly don — A mighty host, an army grand, Quick to obey war's dread command, The boys of sixty-one. 15 Through many a long and weary day, They marched 'neath burning sun. For winter's cold they did not stay, Through mud and rain still tramped away, The boys of sixty-one. Around their camp-fires burning bright, Was heard their boisterous fun, Their songs and jokes, and laughter light, And stories told of many a fight — The boys of sixty-one. To picket posts they softly crept, With true and trusty gun, And while their weary comrades slept, Sharp watch along the lines now kept, The boys of sixty-one. They followed fast when in retreat, The foe now wildly run. Unconquered still they bear defeat, Ready again the foe to meet — The boys of sixty-one. They stood where leaden hail-storms fell, Nor danger tried to shun; |y They trembled not at rebel yell, Nor booming gun, nor screaming shell — The boys of sixty-one. Like iron walls they faced the foe, And till the fight was done, Though many a comrade was laid low, They sternly answered blow for blow, The boys of sixty-one. 16 They fell, the boys so true and brave, In battles lost and won; They gave their all; they only crave A little space, an unknown grave, The dead of sixty-one. Some were torn by shot and shell; Their fighting days are gone ; Their empty sleeves their stories tell, And wooden legs don't walk so well As those of sixty-one. But treason's power was crushed at last, At last the war was done ; In grand review the armies passed, Then gladly homeward hastened fast, The boys of sixty-one. The years so quickly pass away — More than two score have gone; The boys of then are old and gray, Yet still of them we proudly say, "The boys of sixty-one." Let song proclaim their valor well While Time his course shall run; Let history the story tell, How bravely fought, how nobly fell, The boys of sixty-one. Their memory shall not pass away, While still remaineth one To strew their graves with flowers in May, Thus honoring, on Memorial Day, The boys of sixty-one. 17 Then honored be the gallant brave; Their part was nobly done. They freely offered, freely gave Their lives their country's life to save, The boys of sixty-one. 18 OUR GOOD OLD FRIEND, SAM CROSS. Three score and ten years old to-day, Hale and hearty as at twenty-one; Good for a hundred, may he live it, we pray, With a life work nobly done. Grand among men in his bearing and mien, No common or turbulent boss, He rules by the love he compels all to give, Our good old friend, Sam Cross. He was made of metal as pure and true As ever was wrought by artisan's skill Into the blade of the finest sword, Even "The Sword of Bunker Hill," He was cast in the mould made for princes and kings* He came forth without blemish or dross, And clear as a bell the true manhood rings, Of our good old friend, Sam Cross. He is true to his friends, be they lowly or high; He cares not for station or state; The hard hand of toil he passes not by, To grasp that of the wealthy, or great; About him there's no ostentation or pride, No sham of veneering or gloss; Truth is the sole standard and honor the guide, Of our good old friend, Sam Cross. 19 Seventy years is a long, long time For a boy to look forward to ; But looking back o'er the traveled way, It seems short when we've journeyed through. But I would not live it over again, If that would compel the loss Of the fellowship of that prince of men, Our good old friend, Sam Cross. IN MEMORIAM. (Written on the death of a school-girl friend.) She has gone in her purity, Whom we loved best; In peaceful security, Her soul is at rest. We cannot awaken her, Life has forsaken her, Jesus has taken her Home with the blest. While we're bewailing her, Low in the tomb, Angels are hailing her Joyfully home. From this world of sorrow, Ascending on high, Her life's bright to-morrow Has dawned in the sky. Fair and so beautiful ! Patient and dutiful; Youthfully dying; Virtue had charms for her, Sin had no harms for her, Death no alarms for her, On God relying. She went away cheerfully; Not timid or fearfully; Though all alone. We followed her tearfully, Sadly and prayerfully, To where they carefully Lowered her down. Now we are mourning her; While we are mourning her, God is adorning her Brow with a crown. We'll ever regret her With many a tear; We cannot forget her, She was so dear. The world is her debtor, For it was made better, While she was here; And we were made better, Because she was here. She has gone in her purity, Whom we loved best, In peaceful security, Her soul is at rest. We cannot waken her, Life has forsaken her, Jesus has taken her, Home with the blest. MARCH AND BATTLE. The tented field like magic disappears, The last night's blazing camp-fires smoulder low, The bugle call the busy soldier hears, That bids him on his weary way to go. Knapsacks are packed with rapid soldier skill, Accoutrements are buckled on with care, Their canteens from a running brook they fill, To quench their thirst or with a comrade share. They form their ranks obedient to command, Then could be seen o'er the extended plain The rhythmic movement so sublimely grand, Of marching men to martial music's strain. Above them glory's banners proudly wave, Their stars and stripes gleam brightly in the sun, Beneath their folds are marching men as brave As ever fought where glorious deeds are done. Bach regiment into the highway files, As link on link to form a lengthening chain, That onward moves, extending many miles, Through field and forest, over hill and plain. The goal is distant, but long is the day, And step by step it slowly draws more near, As hour by hour they tramp along the way, While mile by mile falls back into the rear. 23 The sun at length has climbed the zenith high, And on the earth pours down his burning heat, While clouds of stifling dust obscure the sky, Thrown up by myriad onward tramping feet. The dust and sweat begrime each sun-tanned face, By dust blue uniforms are turned to gray, On brows and hair it finds a resting place, Through throat and lungs it makes its subtle way. Tramp, tramp, the cruel march goes ever on, Their muscles tense, to stand the fearful strain, While rapidly their gasping breath is drawn To furnish strength the unknown goal to gain. Boom, boom, is heard the distant cannon's roar, That tells, the foe has once again been found, Then hurrying on, each moving army corps, Converging, hastens towards the battle sound. March on, brave men, sore is your country's need; By foes assailed, her life is in the scale; Here moments count ; now on your utmost speed Depends success ; God grant you do not fail. Of human power now comes the crucial test, Showing the value of incessant drill, That marchworn men in sorest need of rest, Still onward press, war's ruthless need to fill. Their firm set jaws determination show; Drawn facial lines their sufferings reveal; Their eyes, with battle's fighting fire aglow, Proclaim their fervent, patriotic zeal. 24 Faces are pale, but not from craven fear, Or coward wish the battle's risk to shun, But from the thought that death is hovering near; For men must die, that battles may be won. And comrades close beside each other walk, Who have been chums through many a hard campaign, While earnestly they to each other talk, Of home and friends they ne'er may see again. They talk of death, yet call it not by name; But say, "If anything should happen me," Then from the heart in earnest words there came, What might perchance love's final message be. Near, and more near, is heard the battle sound; Wild flying shells go screaming overhead, Then bursting, scatter fragments all around, With puffs of smoke, that slowly outward spread. And batteries now madly gallop by, With bounding guns and clinging cannoneers, To take position on some station high, To sweep the field where'er the foe appears. Impedimenta all is cast aside ; Arms, ammunition, only now remain, As on they rush, with mad, impetuous stride, And purpose grim the' victory to gain. And gentle men to fighting demons turn, With giant strength, and savage lust to kill; Their frenzied hearts with joy of battle burn, Reckless that they a soldier's grave may fill. 25 They reach the goal, the march is ended there, The battle storms now wildly o'er them sweep, And leaden hail, that whistling through the air, Makes corpses cold, and many a woman weep. The thundering guns and roaring musketry Benumb the ear, and slowly round them creeps The battle smoke, and stalking death Goes through the ranks and there his harvest reaps. The living fight, the dead among them lie, Their upturned faces turning pale and cold; Their eyes now gaze unseeing at the sky; Their blood-stained blouses their still forms enfold. Many are there who ne'er will march again; The closing ranks, strange elbow touch will feel; Messmates their blankets witt withothers share, And camp-fire tales their valor will reveal. Oh! Hallowed be the graves where they are laid Their memory sacred be for evermore, Give honor for the sacrifice they made, And fame eternal for the part they bore. And batteries now madly gallop by, With bounding guns and clinging cannoneers. 26 SWEET NAN OF THE MAHONING. On the banks of the Mahoning, In a valley rich and green, I lived, and loved a maiden As fair as e'er was seen ; And my love for her was constant As the river's gentle flow, In the days we spent together, Long ago, long ago, In the days we spent together, Long ago. Sweet Nan of the Mahoning, I love you well and true. Sweet Nan of the Mahoning, My thoughts are all of you. It is years since we have met, But I never can forget, The days we spent together, Long ago, long ago, The days we spent together, Long ago. Her cheeks were like twin roses; Her hair was soft and brown, That grew in wavy masses, Fair maidenhood's crown ; Her smile so enchanting Set my heart with love aglow, In the days we spent together, Long ago, long ago, In the days we spent together, Long ago. 27 Oft we wandered by the river, Beneath the maple's shade; We sat upon its mossy banks, That were for lovers made; Life to us was full of gladness, No sorrow did we know, In the days we spent together, Long ago, long ago, In the days we spent together, Long ago. We parted by the river; It was fate's unkind decree; We dreamed not we would never Again each other see : Forty years have passed away, But my love does stronger grow, Each year since we parted, Long ago, long ago, Each year since we parted, Long ago. Often in my dreams I'm with her In the dear old valley home, Where beneath the spreading maples We again together roam. I hear her joyous laughter, Her voice so sweet and low, Just as in the happy days, Long ago, long ago, Just as in the happy days, Long ago. 28 I know she's old and feeble, Her soft, brown hair is gray, Her rosy cheeks have faded Since that far-distant day; But memory, unchanging, To me does ever show My sweetheart, as I saw her, Long ago, long ago, My sweetheart, as I saw her, Long ago. fiHHAt Sweet Nan of the Mahoning, I love you well and true. Sweet Nan of the Mahoning, My thoughts are all of you. It is years since we have met, But I never can forget, The days we spent together, Long ago, long ago, The days we spent together, Long ago. Oft we wandered by the fiver. Beneath the maple's shade. 29 MARCH " Prepare to march at four. " The order came One eve as round our camp-fires we sat talking, "Send to the hospital the sick and lame, For there is to be done a lot of walking. " The order caused at once with some the quick conclusion; 'Twas time for grumbling with swearing in profusion. For soldiers always grumble and sometimes swear; That is a privilege to an art extended. At last you'd think so, should you chance to hear The words they use when they become offended; Such words in prayer you hear good people saying, But the soldiers are not given much to praying. For several says there had been indications Of a move of some kind; I'll tell you how we knew it; Vinegar and molasses had been added to our rations, And 'tis only just before a move they do it. 'Tis done in order to relieve the commissary Of things that in campaigning are quite unnecessary. Before the hour of marching much was to be done ; Arms to be cleaned and put in good condition ; Four days' rations from the commissary drawn, And a general overhauling ammunition. There were letters to be written to sisters, wives and mothers, And — well, I'll be candid; there were others. 66 For soldiers are young men, and just the same As all of human masculine creation; With that strong craving for which nature is to blame, For the state of being known as the connubial relation, So while death stalks beside them, in their camping and their fighting, Cupid still leads them on, to conquests more inviting. Man being of an inquiring turn of mind, And striving to learn of things the why and wherefore, To fathom the mysterious ever much inclined, A hundred rumors quickly therefore Spread through the camp, with rapid circulation, As to the why we make this move, its course and termination. Some said it was a move on Hatcher's Run, Some, that we were going to the Shenandoah Valley, Some said that the rebs were in front of Washington, And on that point we were making a grand rally. 'Twas suggested we were going to the State to be recruited, Each conjectured and reported whate'er his fancy suited. These and scores of other rumors were heard, Each said his reports came from good authority, Some seemed quite probable, others most absurd, Of course, no one knew, but the majority Felt in their breasts a fearsome, dread misgiving, That, for many days, we all would not be living. 67 We knew that our general never retreated; We knew that on our front our foes intrenched were lying, That if we moved that way, they must be defeated, And whoever heard of victory, without somebody dying? This was the way we reasoned ; it was death we had to face ; To shirk was worse than death, dishonor, shame, disgrace. 68 MY FATHER WAS A SOLDIER. My father was a soldier, He was a fighter, too ; He put down the rebellion, As all the generals knew. Of course there was an army That made a fine display; But father did the fighting, So I have heard him say. He fought two hundred battles, And fifty times got hit, And every wound was mortal; But he had so much grit He only fought the harder; He couldn't sleep at night, Unless in some big battle He'd had a chance to fight. In one battle where he fought, The foe was on a hill, And the blood ran down the valley, Deep enough to turn a mill; And when the rebels had been licked, The dead were piled so high Along in front of father's gun, You couldn't see the sky. 69 One day he cocked a cannon, As I have heard him tell; It was loaded to the muzzle With canister and shell; And when he pulled the trigger, He made so good a shot, He killed enough of rebs, to fill A forty-acre lot. Another day he all alone, To do some scouting went, When very suddenly he met A rebel regiment. Do you think father lost his nerve, And let himself get shot? Oh no, he just surrounded them, And captured the whole lot. My father is a truthful man, And scorns to utter lies; He says he, more than anything, A liar does despise. So, when he tells his tales of war, And battles he's been through, I, knowing that he would not lie, Believe them all; don't you? 70 CAMPAIGN SONG. Written in 1868. (Published in New York Tribune, and sung by Ira D. Sankey, at many political conventions in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.) (Air "Bonnie Blue Flag.") Come every patriot in the land, Come all ye sons of Mars, And rally round the flag again, That bears the stripes and stars; Then joined in freedom's glorious cause, The battle we'll begin ; With Grant to lead us on again, Our cause is sure to win. Chorus. Hurrah! for Grant, For Colfax boys, Hurrah, For Congress and for equal rights, Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! The time to choose a president Is coming 'round once more; We as our candidate present The hero of the war. He led our glorious army through Four years of fearful strife, With skill to plan and will to do, He saved a nation's life. Chorus: Hurrah, etc. 71 Once more our foes are in the field, They've tried a change of base, From bullets to the ballot box, But that don't help their case; For Grant will move upon their works, As he has done before, And on the same old Union line, Will fight it out once more. Chorus: Hurrah, etc. Unfurl our standard to the breeze, Let democrats behold An honest party's motto there, "We pay our debts in gold." Greenback repudiation schemes Are not the kind to win; We are not so dishonest yet, Nor sunk so low in sin. Chorus: Hurrah, etc. In freedom's cause once more prepare The battle to renew; Then wheel your columns into line, Ye gallant Boys in Blue, Your forces to reorganize, Begin without delay; Let every man be at his post, And we will win the day. Chorus. Hurrah! for Grant, For Colfax boys, Hurrah, For Congress and for equal rights, Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 72 RETROSPECTION I'm old and gray and feeble grown, And in my chair I sit alone, Forgotten, and to all unknown. No wealth of land or goods have I ; But I have that you could not buy, With heaped-up gold or station high. The past is mine ; the days long gone, With battles fought, and victories won, And deeds of valor nobly done, Are more to me than wealth untold, Or realms to govern uncontrolled, Or dearest thing that life can hold. Immortal days! Through memory, Bach glorious scene comes back, for me Again to hear, and feel, and see. I hear again our country call Her patriot sons, to stay her fall, And rescue her from treason's thrall. I feel that patriotic thrill, That caused our loyal ranks to fill, When Sumter's guns grew cold and still. 73 I see vast armies gathering fast, When for grim war the die is cast, And hope of peace forever past. I see the long, dark, bloody way, From Bull Run's dire, disastrous fray To glorious Appomattox day. I hear the cannon's thunder peal; I see the flash of glistening steel, And all the battle frenzy feel. I see our starry banner wave Through battle smoke, o'er men as brave As ever marched to soldier's grave. I see the batteries gallop by, To vantage point on station high, And fast to booming guns reply. The roll of musketry I hear; The bugle call, distinct and clear; The rebel yell, and answering cheer. Where gallant foes are forced to flee, Our charging lines again I see, And hear glad shouts of victory. I feel the chagrin of defeat, The sullen wrath of fast retreat, And long again the foe to meet. I see old comrades of the dead, Who bravely marched where duty led ; With elbow touch and martial tread. 74 That final scene again I see, Beneath the famous tree. Who that was there, will not agree, That not for wealth, or honors bright, Would he exchange, if now he might, The memory of that glorious sight. 75 THE MAHONING OIL BOOM. In the Mahoning Valley, lo ! There was a boom in oil, There hundreds went, and thousands spent, With nothing for their toil. A hundred derricks pierced the sky; A hundred drills sunk deep ; Two hundred thousand dollars shy, Made wild cat drillers weep. From West and East, their zeal increased, By stories of "good shows," They came, the land they bought or leased, Then each "prospecting" goes. Their minds beguiled by visions wild, Of fortunes quickly won, A derrick square is in the air, An engine starts to run. With boring tools, these oil mad fools, To drilling quickly go, And soon is heard the cheering word, That they have got a "show." But when more clear the facts we hear, We find 'tis all a sell, For though there's gas, we find, alas, Of oil there's not a smell. 76 'Tis strange to me that men should be In this so very rash, As not to think, ere wells they sink, They also sink their cash. Discouraged now, they swear and vow They will no longer stay; With tools fast in, and money out, And boarding bills to pay. They calculate expenses great, With prospects none of gains; Sad is their lot, what oil they got Was what was on their brains. Their minds more free, they now can see What they could not before, That boring for Mahoning oil To them has been a bore. Away they haste, no time to waste, With vows no more to roam; The greatest strike they ever made Was when they struck for home. And now no more the bull wheel whirls, The walking beam is still; Nor upward roll smoke clouds from coal, The atmosphere to fill. The farmer bland, who sold the land, Now buys it back again ; He smiles sedate, while profit great Fills now his horny hand. 77 THE FOOLISH VIRGIN. "Oh, maiden fair, with golden hair, Will you my heart and fortune share?" "Kind sir," said she, "first let me see What fortune you will share with me. " "My heart is large, my fortune small, But I with you will share it all. " "Kind sir," said she, "I'll not agree; Small fortunes don't appeal to me. " "The fortune I to you can give In smallness is comparative; By that of Gould or Carnegie, It looks like abject poverty, And does not with great wealth compare. I'm just a common millionaire. " "Kind sir," said she, "I now agree, And we will quickly wedded be. " "Oh, maiden fair, with golden hair, To wed you now I do not care; Now maiden fair, with golden hair, When you again a suitor snare, Don't answer till you take a look Through Bradstreet's business rating book ! ' 78 WATTIE HAS COME HOME. Wattie has come home; Gone are all our thoughts of sadness, Full are now our hearts of gladness, Joy runs almost into madness ; Wattie has come home. Wattie has come home; Now are we in friendship blended, Gloomy days at last were ended, When his footsteps homeward wended; Wattie has come home. Wattie has come home; We missed his pleasant, genial ways, All through the long, hot, August days ; Now on him fondly we can gaze; Wattie has come home. Wattie has come home; We looked for his home returning, With a longing and a yearning, Naught could satisfy but learning, Wattie had come home. Wattie has come home ; The song of birds, the flowers of spring, The vows of love or gold's clear ring Could not than this more pleasure bring; Wattie has come home. Wattie has come home; No more sadness, without sorrow, We will greet each bright to-morrow; We can now ten dollars borrow; Wattie has come home. 79 THE PASSING ARMY. Through all the breadth of this our glorious land Of field and forest, city, hamlet, town, Is scattered wide that valiant army grand ; Whose valor made our nation's vast renown. They are passing, passing from earth away, They are passing, a hundred every day. Two million men, a nation's strength and pride, With mind and heart to save a nation's life, Through battle storms, fought, bled, and nobly died, To grapple victory from the fearful strife. They are passing, passing from earth away, They are passing, a hundred every day. They made a nation, and they made a name, That will endure while time his course shall run, Emblazoned on the brightest scroll of fame, Are now the deeds of valor they have done. They are passing, passing from earth away, They are passing, a hundred every day. The victory won, they quickly disappear, To join all ranks of civil life again, From President to labor's humble sphere, They proved themselves their country's noblemen. They are passing, passing from earth away, They are passing, a hundred every day. 80 ®ij*tr pontoon orion? ta on tlj? rib*r laio, Ano tfj?g ar* tnarrfytnn to ttj? nnknown aljnr*. They go their ways on nerveless legs of wood, Their empty sleeves their tragic stories tell, Their battle scars proclaim that they have stood 'Mid storms of leaden hail and bursting shell. They are passing, passing from earth away, They are passing, a hundred every day. Their work is done, their record has been made, In charging battle lines they'll fight no more. Their pontoon bridge is on the river laid, And they are marching to the unknown shore. They are passing, passing from earth away, They are passing, a hundred every day. 81 THE STORY OF THE BOOK. In early manhood, yes, even in my country school- boy days, I occasionally wrote verses, and from that time through all my life I have done this; not regularly, but as I was moved by the spirit, or inspiration, or when what writers on psychic phenomena call the subjective mind got possession of my mental faculties, and I could not get back into my normal condition of hardheaded business activity until the thing of which I was possessed had been written. The number of these pieces grew from year to year. I read them to my friends and they were well received; I read them in public and they were applauded; some were published and not criticized. Then my friends began to say, "Why don't you publish a book?" and they kept on asking this question until I began to ask it of myself. People whose judgment of things I knew was better than mine advised it; I first refused, then hesitated, and you know what happens to one who does that. The result is before you. To get a publisher to take a lot of poems, written by an unknown author, and put them on the market in book form was impossible. The only way was by an advance subscrip- tion list, that would secure the means to pay the cost. I at first thought that if I could secure two or three hundred subscribers, I could publish a plain book containing the poems and nothing else. The under- taking was a success from the start. The first day I received about a hundred subscriptions. Then the list grew and grew until I had more than double the number of subscribers I at first dreamed it possible to obtain, 83 and there are more to come; how many no one can tell, but this is certain: they will all be my friends, and no one will be solicited to subscribe. This is absolutely a subscriber's book, and subscribers naturally think they have rights that authors are bound to respect; consequently some demands have been made as to what other things the book should contain. First, there must be a frontispiece, consisting of my photo- graph. No common wood-cut or half-tone affair, but a genuine photograph. Naturally the demand for a written autograph followed. Then I was confronted by the idea of illustrations, broached by a suggestive subscriber, and behold, the impossible has been accom- plished. To Will H. Chandlee, artist and illustrator, I am deeply indebted for the interest he has taken in this matter, and for the beautiful work he has done. >To Mrs. P. H. Sheridan I am truly grateful for the permission, so cheerfully granted, to have photographed the beautiful bronze statuette representing "Sheridan's Ride," by James E. Kelley, sculptor, New York, and fittingly reproduced in the cover design of this book, to which the opening poem, "We Rode With Little Phil," gives the title. I thank most heartily Mr. Edward Block, the photog- rapher, for the patience, care, and skill he displayed in securing the beautiful photograph from which the cover design was made. Regarding my part in the production on this book, I can only say that it is the best that was in me to do. Most of the poems are descriptive of events and scenes that through memory come back for me "again to hear and feel and see." The martial and patriotic were written from the standpoint of the private soldier as 84 seen through the smoke of battle and over the sights of a gun. Many of the others are what I call just foolishness and were written for a boy's reason — "Just for Fun." They describe certain events and incidents that have helped to make life, to me, the opposite of a vale of tears; and it is my sincere hope that every reader of this book will always be able to do things for the same reason, for I have always held that when a man has outlived his boyhood, it is time for him to die. The Author. 85 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066