"The Battle of Manassas Plain"

We waited long and anxiously in sullen, stern repose,
Listening for the summons to meet our deadly foes;
Although we were not many we were men not one of whom
But was ready when his country called to meet the soldier’s doom.
Thinking of the coming contest our hearts beat with delight.
We seized our arms - were ready to march towards the fight.

Our messenger told us, when he came at setting of the sun,
That our foes were led by Scott, and were more than three to one;
But we knew our Southern army would conquer or ‘twould fall
Upon the soil where, years before, our fathers risked their all.
So with willing hearts and ready hands we started on our way,
To reach the longed for battle-field we marched night and day.

We met the foe at daybreak on the twenty-first of July,
With strengthened hearts and hands we came to "conquer or to die!"
There came a pause - we raised our eyes and prayerful hearts to Heaven,
And prayed in silence that our sins might now be all forgiven;
For well we knew that many a heart which now knew naught of pain,
Would sleep, ere night, in its last rest upon Manassas Plain.

Just then our noble general on his favorite horse
Rode steadily and slowly like a father thro’ his force;
And as our ranks "presented arms", a murmur swiftly ran,
"God bless our noble Beauregard!" was heard from man to man.
He smiled - but his eyes filled with tears of grief and pain,
As he looked upon our soldiers struggling on Manassas Plain.

We waited in a thicket when on our left arose
The role of heavy musketry from our advancing foes;
Our hearts were filled with fire as warmer grew the fray
Which we knew would prove our courage on that eventful day;
On they came - a perfect shower of shell and leaden rain
Fell on our left, and thinned o’er ranks upon Manassas Plain.

Beauregard, pointing to a battery, said, "That must be taken;"
Our Bartow said, "It shall be done!" - our faith remained unshaken.
We struggled and we took it - but oh! amid the strife
Our brave and loved commander yielded up his precious life.
Our "Oglethorpes" were scattered - only sixteen now remain
Untouched of that brave, youthful band, upon Manassas Plain.

And they, with many others, gathered ‘round their dying chief,
Whilst scalding tears ran fast adown, but gave them no relief; -
"They have killed me boys, but never give this field up to foes!"
Were the words he firmly spoke, and his eyes in death now close;
We saw him die - we turned - we were fiends, not mortal men,
And now we fought as if each arm contained the strength of ten.

‘Twas now a fearful moment, for we fought to avenge the death
Of our comrades and our hero, who had breathed their latest breath.
The smoke grew thicker, and we thought our foes would never yield,
When Davis, with his brave command, appeared upon the field.
One moment more they stood, then quickly turned and fled,
Our cavalry pursuing, o’er the dying and the dead.

The sun was setting o’er the hills, and twilight gently fell
Above our noble fallen who had fought so long and well;
The battle now was over - the mighty struggle done;
The day was fully ours - the victory was won -
We laid us down to sleep among the wounded and the slain,
And "slept the sleep of conquerors" upon Manassas Plain.

1861
By E.I.W.