THE PRICE OF VICTORY. SKIRMISH AT LADY'S FORD, Va., AUGUST 18TH, '61. "A VICTORY!-a victory!" Is flashed across the wires; Speed, speed the news from State to State, Let all the bells from all the towers A mother heard the chiming bells; Be not among the slain." Outstretched in death he lay; The color from his fair young face Had hardly passed away. His nerveless hand still grasped the sword He never more might wield, His eyes were sealed in dreamless sleep The chestnut curls his mother oft Had stroked in fondest pride, Neglected hung in clotted locks, With deepest crimson dyed. Ah! many a mother's heart shall ache, When tidings come of him who marched So blithely forth to war. Oh! sad for them-the stricken down And sadder yet for loving hearts- Yes, victory has a fearful price Oh! mothers! count it something gained, And better than a thousand years A patriot's fragrant memory, ANON. THE SOLDIER TO HIS BETROTHED. BEFORE THE FIGHT AT HAWK'S NEST, Va. THE joys of home are dear to me, No captive in his dungeon's gloom, But better far that she should weep, Than here to sleep the coward's sleep, When in the deadly battle-field, Thine eye's bright beam, thy love's soft smile, And homeward bound to thee. Thine, it I live or die! H. ALGER, JR. A SON IN THE WAR. SECOND BATTLE AT CHARLESTOWN, MO. WE gathered 'round the cheerful fires, And happy is the household band, There is an absent one, Who to war has gone. Alone for him she daily mourns, Alone for him she daily weeps, Around the household hearth, Alone for him at hour of prayer, And when her streaming eyes were closed. In slumbers of the night, She fancies that the absent one Is present in her sight. ANONYMOUS. THE LAST SUNDAY AT HOME. BEFORE THE SKIRMISH AT CROSS LANES, VA. ONCE more within the House of God below "O, God, preserve our country's life, The Lord is our defense; in Him our might, And if we save our fatherland, Hath God not done it through our hand? |