Alexander B. Clitherall

“ Who counted Independence a greater boon than life.
From the General to the Private, each, a hero lived and died,
They faltered not before the foe—how strong soe’er the tide
Of battle rushed upon them, yet never did they blench,
But fought and died upon the field, on picket, or in trench.
When this bloody war is over, and our liberty obtained,
Some war scarred soldier will recount the battles we have gained
And name those noble martyrs who have fallen in their prime,
Who died themselves, to make us free, who died for thine and mine. ”

“ They will kneel around the soldier, and whate’er may be their fate,
They will swear unto the Northmen, their never dying hate.
All that the soldier will recount, has passed before our eyes,
’Tis writ in crimson letters on the earth and in the skies.
Day by day it is repeated, and our once happy land,
Is day by day laid desolate by bullet and brand. ”

“ For while a brother’s left to fight, a sister left to cheer,
The true hearts of our Sunny South will never feel despair.
Then let us make our solemn vow and swear by Him on high,
For Independence we will live, for Independence die. ”