YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 08886 9491

S

POEM READ BY MAJ. DEWITT C. SPEAGUE
at The
Annual Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Potomac,
held at Baltimore, Md., May 6th and 1th, 1885.
I.
Another soft May morning, calm and fair,
Dawned smiling on the verdant earth serene,
Although an awful, awe-inspiring scene,
Was soon again to be enacted there.
Then, one-and-twenty years ago this day,
When Spring had clothed the Earth in fairest dress,
Into the bosom of the Wilderness,
Potomac's Army hewed a bloody way.
At early morn the dreadful strife began,
And hand to hand with a determined foe,
Thousands at eve in death were lying low,
With blood the forest streamlets deeply ran.
There, friend and foe, the dead and wounded lay,
Blended in blood on the contested field,
Where they had fiercely fought would neither yield,
Till death or darkness closed the deadly fray.
And then, as if to hide from mortal sight,
That scene of desolation and distress,
Around was drawn with pitying tenderness
And tears of dew the sombre screen of Night.

n.
But many valorous chieftains of renown,
Sought fresher laurels at the Wilderness,
And many a name our grateful people bless,
That here secured the patriot's fadeless crown.

Hancock, another Henry of Navarre,
Led on the gallant Second * to the front,
And of the fiery trial bore the brunt,
And added to his fame another star.
The lion-hearted Sedgewick too was here,
Beloved and honored, bravest of the brave,
Too soon, too soon, he found a patriots grave,
And closed a faithful, glorious career.
The splended Sixth, his favorite and pride,
Stood firmly formed, and like a massive rock
Hurled back the surging battle's furious shock,
And with their gallant comrades nobly vied.
Brave Warren led the valliant Fifth, this day,
That won at Gettysburg enduring fame,
On Little Round Top, wrapped in battle flame,
With sturdy Sykes it held the foe at bay.
And " Little Phil " was there, the brilliant, dashing
Phil Sheridan, who later on, they say,
Rode down from Winchester, one Autumn day.
And gave Jube Earley a terrible thrashing.
The victor chief of Gettysburg was here,
Loved by the Army by the Nation praised,
His star of glory still resplendent blazed,
Albeit a mightier orb had risen near.
Yes, he was there, who never said, " I can't,"
" Advance along the line," at dawn of day,
Was his command; 'twas the peculiar way,
Of Unconditional-Surrender Grant.

III.
0, laureled Grant ! The Nation's chosen one,
To lead to victory her loyal host !
In all her proud array she cannot boast,
A prouder name than thine, thou favorite son !

3
Ah, how the Nation stood with bated breath,
When but a few brief weeks agone the wail,
Was through it borne as on an icy gale :
Grant's dying ! nearing fast the realm of death !
All eyes were turned toward his suffering bed,
All hearts beat wildly between hope and fears.
And many a cheek accustomed not to tears,
Was wet and pale, and strong men bowed the head.
And many anxious days and nights then sped,
Fraught with a sad impenetrable gloom,
Till the dread Angel with the sable plume,
Spread his black wings and, for the present, fled.
That he return not soon, 0, let us pray !
And hope that our beloved and honored chief
May soon from all affliction find relief,
And long in health among his people stay.

IV.

But we remember now that gloomy past,
That era pregnant with the nation's fate,
When the distracted and imperiled State
On him her trembling hope confiding cast.
How nobly he the mighty burden bore,
Unmoved by wrong or clamorous discontent,
Inflexible in his great purpose on he went,
To win a matchless fame for evermore.
Even his patience — how sublime ! revealed
His greatness. Silent and sure, on and on
He went, from the stormed walls of Donaldson.
Till Appomattox all his glory sealed.
How modestly he heard the world's applause,
The plaudits of his Nation, saved and free,
(That bears the hope of all humanity),
For this he fought, 'twas freedom's sacred cause.

His sword was drawn by duty's stern command,
Not for unholy conquest, self renown,
Not for a conqueror's stained inglorious crown,
But for the weal and glory of his land !
Thv place was justly won the great among,
' Illustrious Grant! We this offering
A tribute to our greatest comrade bring,
Albeit his praise by all the world is sung.
Thy course was glorious, and thy honored name
Will live in all the world throughout all time,
Preserved among the great and good and deeds sublime,
In Freedom's storied temple, there by Fame.

AT

Fain would I mention other names to-day,
A meed of praise deserved on all bestow,
But I tlie loving task must here forego,
That I may not too much prolong this lay.
And yet, there is another name enshrined,
Lasting and deep in many a comrade's heart
A name that of our history is a part,
And with our proud achievements is entwined.
McClellan! our first and only living head!
How grandly he Potomac's Army wrought,
And out of chaos into order brought,
And it to victory at Antietam led ;
And as to-day, we comrades looking back,
Behold its course to final victory,
And honor many a noble chieftain, we
All love and honor, too, our "Little Mac."
VI.
But we should not forget our fallen brave.
No ; their dear memory should ne'er decay.
For their beloved, imperiled country they'
"The last full measure of devotion" gave.

Bedeck their lowly bed, 0, gentle Spring !
Bedeck with mantle green their honored bed,
And immortelles with dewy fingers spread,
And let thy feathered choir their requiem sing !
Who love their country, fight and die for her,
Rear to themselves a lasting monument.
Not with unhonored clay their dust is blent:
The whole earth is their hallowed sepulche.

VII.
Ah, well we know our brother foe was brave,
(We are not here vain-glorious boast to make,)
We fought him only for his country's sake.
We conquered, but we conquered all to save !
Ye gallant men who wore the Southern Gray!
Ye valiant men who wore the loyal Blue !
Ye all were to the cause ye fought for true,
But ye are all Americans to-day.
0, Sun of Peace, shine ever on this land !
0, Freedom with thy sacred iEgis guard !
0, Light of Progress, lead us still onward !
0, Right and Justice, rule from strand to strand !

* It will be remembered that in March, 1864, the five Army Corps constitut
ing the Army of the Potomac, were consolidated into three Corps, as follows :
The old Second and old Third formed the new Second ; the old Fifth and
old First formed the new Fifth, while a division, that had formerly been
with the Third Corps, was transferred to the Sixth, therefore no distinctive
reference is here made to the First and Third Corps, which, as divisions of
the others, participated in the battle of tlie Wilderness. They retained,
however, their distinctive corps and division badges.
D. W. C. S.