Chapter 1

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WAR POETRY OF THE SOUTH

Edited By

William Gilmore Simms, LL. D.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, By RICHARDSON & CO.

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.

Press of Geo. C. Rand & Avery, 540 Broadway.

To

The Women of the South

I Inscribe This Volume

They have lost a cause, but they have made a triumph! They have shown themselves worthy of any manhood; and will leave a record which shall survive all the caprices of time. They have proved themselves worthy of the best womanhood, and, in their posterity, will leave no race which shall be unworthy of the cause which is lost, or of the mothers, sisters and wives, who have taught such noble lessons of virtuous effort, and womanly endurance.

W.G.S.

Preface.

Several considerations have prompted the editor of this volume in the compilation of its pages. It constitutes a contribution to the national literature which is assumed to be not unworthy of it, and which is otherwise valuable as illustrating the degree of mental and art development which has been made, in a large section of the country, under circumstances greatly calculated to stimulate talent and provoke expression, through the higher utterances of passion and imagination. Though sectional in its character, and indicative of a temper and a feeling which were in conflict with nationality, yet, now that the States of the Union have been resolved into one nation, this collection is essentially as much the property of the whole as are the captured cannon which were employed against it during the progress of the late war. It belongs to the national literature, and will hereafter be regarded as constituting a proper part of it, just as legitimately to be recognized by the nation as are the rival ballads of the cavaliers and roundheads, by the English, in the great civil conflict of their country.

The emotional literature of a people is as necessary to the philosophical historian as the mere details of events in the progress of a nation. This is essential to the reputation of the Southern people, as illustrating their feelings, sentiments, ideas, and opinions--the motives which influenced their actions, and the objects which they had in contemplation, and which seemed to them to justify the struggle in which they were engaged. It shows with what spirit the popular mind regarded the course of events, whether favorable or adverse; and, in this aspect, it is even of more importance to the writer of history than any mere chronicle of facts. The mere facts in a history do not always, or often, indicate the true _animus_, of the action. But, in poetry and song, the emotional nature is apt to declare itself without reserve--speaking out with a passion which disdains subterfuge, and through media of imagination and fancy, which are not only without reserve, but which are too coercive in their own nature, too arbitrary in their influence, to acknowledge any restraints upon that expression, which glows or weeps with emotions that gush freely and freshly from the heart. With this persuasion, we can also forgive the muse who, in her fervor, is sometimes forgetful of her art.

And yet, it is believed that the numerous pieces of this volume will be found creditable to the genius and culture of the Southern people, and honorable, as in accordance with their convictions. They are derived from all the States of the late Southern Confederacy, and will be found truthfully to exhibit the sentiment and opinion prevailing more or less generally throughout the whole. The editor has had special advantages in making the compilation. Having a large correspondence in most of the Southern States, he has found no difficulty in procuring his material. Contributions have poured in upon him from all portions of the South; the original publications having been, in a large number of cases, subjected to the careful revision of the several authors. It is a matter of great regret with him that the limits of the present volume have not suffered him to do justice to, and find a place for, many of the pieces which fully deserve to be put on record. Some of the poems were quite too long for his purpose; a large number, delayed by the mails and other causes, were received too late for publication. Several collections, from Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas, especially, are omitted for this reason. Many of these pieces are distinguished by fire, force, passion, and a free play of fancy. Briefly, his material would enable him to prepare another volume, similar to the present, which would not be unworthy of its companionship. He is authorized by his publisher to say that, in the event of the popular success of the present volume, he will cheerfully follow up its publication by a second, of like style, character, and dimensions.

The editor has seen with pleasure the volume of "Rebel Rhymes" edited by Mr. Moore, and of "South Songs," by Mr. De Leon. He has seen, besides, a single number of a periodical pamphlet called "The Southern Monthly," published at Memphis, Tenn. This has been supplied him by a contributor. He has seen no other publications of this nature, though he has heard of others, and has sought for them in vain. There may be others still forthcoming; for, in so large a field, with a population so greatly scattered as that of the South, it is a physical impossibility adequately to do justice to the whole by any one editor; and each of the sections must make its own contributions, in its own time, and according to its several opportunities. There will be room enough for all; and each, I doubt not, will possess its special claims to recognition and reward.

His own collections, made during the progress of the war, from the newspapers, chiefly, of South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, were copious. Of these, many have been omitted from this collection, which, he trusts, will some day find another medium of publication. He has been able to ascertain the authorship, in many cases, of these writings; but must regret still that so many others, under a too fastidious delicacy, deny that their names should be made known. It is to be hoped that they will hereafter be supplied. To the numerous ladies who have so frankly and generously contributed to this collection, by sending originals and making copies, he begs to offer his most grateful acknowledgments.

A large proportion of the pieces omitted are of elegiac character. Of this class, he could find a place for such pieces only as were dedicated to the most distinguished of the persons falling in battle, or such as are marked by the higher characteristics of poetry--freshness, thought, and imagination. But many of the omitted pieces are quite worthy of preservation. Much space has not been given to that class of songs, camp catches, or marching ballads, which are so numerous in the "Rebel Rhymes" of Mr. Moore. The songs which are most popular are rarely such as may claim poetical rank. They depend upon lively music and certain spirit-stirring catchwords, and are rarely worked up with much regard to art or even, propriety. Still, many of these should have found a place in this volume, had adequate space been allowed the editor. It is his desire, as well as that of the publisher, to collect and bind together these fugitives in yet another publication. He will preserve the manuscripts and copies of all unpublished pieces, with the view to this object--keeping them always subject to the wishes of their several writers.

At the close, he must express the hope that these poems will be recognized, not only as highly creditable to the Southern mind, but as truly illustrative, if not justificatory of, that sentiment and opinion with which they have been written; which sentiment and opinion have sustained their people through a war unexampled in its horrors in modern times, and which has fully tested their powers of endurance, as well as their ability in creating their own resources, under all reverses, and amidst every form of privation.

W.G.S.

Brooklyn, September 8, 1866.

Contents.

Ethnogenesis, _Henry Timrod_ God Save the South, _George H. Miles_ "You can never win them back", _Catherine M. Warfield_ The Southern Cross, _E. K. Blunt_ South Carolina, _S. Henry Dickson_ The New Star, _B. M. Anderson_ The Irrepressible Conflict, _Tyrtæus_ The Southern Republic, _Olivia T. Thomas_ "Is there then no Hope?", _Charleston Courier_ The Fate of the Republic, _Charleston Mercury_ The Voice of the South, _Charleston Mercury_ The Oath of Freedom, _James Barron Hope_ The Battle Cry of the South, _James R. Randall_ Sonnet, _Charleston Mercury_ Seventy-six and Sixty-one, _J. W. Overall_ "Reddato Gladium", _Richmond Whig_ "Nay, keep the Sword", _Richmond Whig_ Coercion, _John R. Thompson_ A Cry to Arms, _Henry Timrod_ Jackson, the Alexandria Martyr, _W. H. Holcombe_ The Martyr of Alexandria, _James W. Simmons_ The Blessed Union, _Charleston Mercury_ The Fire of Freedom, _Richmond paper_ Hymn to the National Flag, _Mrs. M. J. Preston_ Sonnet--moral of party, _Charleston Mercury_ Our Faith in '61, _A. J. Requier_ "Wouldst thou have me love thee?", _Alex. B. Meek_ Enlisted to-day, _Anonymous_ "My Maryland", _James R. Randall_ The Boy Soldier, _Lady of Savannah_ The good old cause, _John D. Phelan_ Manassas, _Catherine M. Warfield_ Virginia, _Ibid._ The War-Christian's Thanksgiving, _S. Teackle Wallis_ Sonnet, _Charleston Mercury_ Marching to Death, _J. Herbert Sass_ Charleston, _Henry Timrod_ Charleston, _Paul H. Hayne_ "Ye Men of Alabama", _Jno. D. Phelan_ Nec temere, nec timida, _Annie C. Ketchum_ Dixie, _Albert Pike_ The Old Rifleman, _Frank Ticknor_ Battle Hymn, _Charleston Mercury_ Kentucky, she is sold, _J. R. Barrick_ The Ship of State, _Charleston Mercury_ "In his blanket on the ground," _Caroline H. Gervais_ The Mountain Partisan, _Charleston Mercury_ The Cameo Bracelet, _James R. Randall_ Zollicoffer, _Henry L. Flash_ Beauregard, _Catherine M. Warfield_ South Carolina, _Gossypium_ Carolina, _Henry Timrod_ My Mother Land, _Paul H. Hayne_ Joe Johnston, _Jno. R. Thompson_ Over the River, _Jane T. H. Cross_ The Confederacy, _Jane T. H. Cross_ President Davis, _Jane T. H. Cross_ The Rifleman's Fancy Shot, _Anonymous_ "All quiet along the Potomac" Prize Address, _Henry Timrod_ The Battle of Richmond, _Geo. Herbert Sass_ The Guerrillas, _S. Teackle Wallis_ A Farewell to Pope, _Jno. R. Thompson_ Sonnet--Public Prayer, _South Carolinian_ Battle of Belmont, _J.A. Signaigo_ Vicksburg, _Paul H. Hayne_ Ballad of the War, _G.H. Sass_ The two Armies, _Henry Timrod_ The Legion of Honor, _H.L. Flash_ Clouds in the West, _A.J. Requier_ Georgia! My Georgia!, _Carrie B. Sinclair_ Song of the Texan Rangers, _Anonymous_ Kentucky required to yield her arms, _Anonymous_ There's life in the old land yet, _J.B. Randall_ "Tell the boys the War is ended," _Emily J. Moore_ The Southern Cross, _St. George Tucker_ England's Neutrality, _John R. Thompson_ Close the Ranks, _J.L. O'Sullivan_ The Sea-kings of the South, _Ed. G. Bruce_ The Return, _Anonymous_ Our Christmas Hymn, _J. Dickson Bruns_ Charleston, _Miss E.B. Cheesborough_ Gathering Song, _Annie Chambers Ketchum_ Christmas, _Henry Timrod_ A Prayer for Peace, _S. Teackle Wallis_ The Band in the Pines, _Jno. Esten Cooke_ At Fort Pillow, _James R. Randall_ From the Rapidan, _Anonymous_ Song of our Southland, _Mrs. Mary Ware_ Sonnets, _Paul H. Hayne_ Hospital Duties, _Charleston Courier_ They cry Peace, Peace! _Mrs. Alethea S. Burroughs_ Ballad--"What! have ye thought?" _Charleston Mercury_ Missing, _Anonymous_ Ode--"Souls of Heroes," _Charleston Mercury_ Jackson, _Henry L. Flash_ Captain Maffit's Ballad, _Charleston Mercury_ Melt the Bells, _F. T. Rockett_ John Pelham, _James R. Randall_ "Ye batteries of Beauregard," _J. R. Barrick_ "When Peace returns," _Olivia T. Thomas_ The Right above the Wrong, _J. W. Overall_ Carmen Triumphale, _Henry Timrod_ The Fiend Unbound, _Charleston Mercury_ The Unknown Dead, _Henry Timrod_ Ode--"Do ye quail?" _W. Gilmore Simms_ Ode--"Our City by the Sea," _Ibid_. The Lone Sentry, _J. R. Randall_ My Soldier Brother, _Sallie E. Bollard_ Seaweeds, _Annie Chambers Ketchum_ The Salkehatchie, _Emily J. Moore_ The Broken Mug, _Jno. Esten Cooke_ Carolina, _Anna Peyre Dinnies_ Our Martyrs, _Paul H. Hayne_ Cleburne, _Mrs. M. A. Jennings_ The Texan Marseillaise, _James Harris_ "O, tempora! O, mores," _J. Dickson Bruns_ Our Departed Comrades, _J. M. Shirer_ No Land like Ours, _J. R. Barrick_ The Angel of the Church, _W. Gilmore Simms_ Ode--"Shell the old City," _Ibid_. The Enemy shall never reach your City, _Charleston Mercury_ War Waves, _Catherine G. Poyas_ Old Moultrie, _Ibid_. Only one killed, _Julia L. Keyes_ Land of King Cotton, _J. A. Signaigo_ If you love me, _Ibid_. The Cotton Boll, _Henry Timrod_ Battle of Charleston Harbor, _Paul H. Hayne_ Fort Wagner, _W. Gilmore Simms_ Sumter in Ruins, _Ibid_. Morris Island, _Ibid_. Promise of Spring, _South Carolinian_ Spring, _Henry Timrod_ Chickamauga, _Richmond Sentinel_ In Memoriam--Bishop Polk, _Viola_ Stonewall Jackson, _H. L. Flash_ Stonewall Jackson--a Dirge, _Anonymous_ Beaufort, _W. J. Grayson_ The Empty Sleeve, _J. R. Bagby_ Cotton Burners' Hymn, _Memphis Appeal_ Reading the List, _Anonymous_ His Last Words, _Anonymous_ Charge of Hagood's Brigade, _J. Blythe Allston_ Carolina, _Jno. A, Wagener_ Savannah, _Alethea S. Burroughs_ "Old Betsy," _John Killian_ Awake! Arise! _G. W. Archer_ Albert Sydney Johnston, _Mary Jervey_ Eulogy of the Dead, _B. F. Porter_ The Beaufort Exile, _Anonymous_ Somebody's Darling, _Miss Maria LaCoste_ John Pegram, _W. Gordon McGabe_ Captives Going Home, _Anonymous_ Heights of Mission Ridge, _J. A. Signaigo_ Our Left at Manassas, _Anonymous_ On to Richmond, _J. R. Thompson_ Turner Ashby, _Ibid_. Captain Latanè, _Ibid_. The Men, _Maurice Bell_ The Rebel Soldier, _Kentucky Girl_ Battle of Hampton Roads, _Ossian D. Gorman_ "Is this a time to dance?" _Anonymous_ The Maryland Line, _J. D, McCabe, Jr._ I give my Soldier Boy a blade, _H. M. L._ Sonnet--Avatar of Hell, _Anonymous_ Stonewall Jackson's Way, _Anonymous_ The Silent March, _Anonymous_ Pro Memoria, _Ina M. Porter_ Southern Homes in Ruins, _R. B. Vance_ Rappahannock Army Song, _J. C. McLemore_ Soldier in the Rain, _Julia L. Keyes_ My Country, _W. D. Porter_ After the Battle, _Miss Agnes Leonard_ Our Confederate Dead, _Lady of Augusta_ Ye Cavaliers of Dixie, _B. F. Porter_ Song of Spring, _Jno. A. Wagener_ What the Village Bell said, _Jno. C. McLemore_ The Tree, the Serpent, and the Star, _A. P. Gray_ Southern War Hymn, _Jno. A. Wagener_ The Battle Rainbow, _J. R. Thompson_ Stonewall Jackson, _Richmond Broadside_ Dirge for Ashby, _Mrs. M. J. Preston_ Sacrifice, _Charleston Mercury_ Sonnet, _Ibid_. Grave of A. Sydney Johnston, _J. B. Synott_ "Not doubtful of your Fatherland," _Charleston Mercury_ Only a Soldier's grave, _S. A. Jonas_ The Guerrilla Martyrs, _Charleston Mercury_ "Libera Nos, O Domine!" _James Barron Hope_ The Knell shall sound once more, _Charleston Mercury_ Gendron Palmer, of the Holcombe Legion, _Ina M. Porter_ Mumford, the Martyr of New Orleans, _Ibid_. The Foe at the Gates--Charleston, _J. Dickson Bruns_ Savannah Fallen, _Alethea S. Burroughs_ Bull Run--A Parody, _Anonymous_ "Stack Arms," _Jos. Blythe Allston_ Doffing the Gray, _Lieutenant Falligant_ In the Land where we were dreaming, _D. B. Lucas_ Ballad--"Yes, build your Walls," _Charleston Mercury_ The Lines around Petersburg, _Samuel Davis_ All is gone, Fadette--_Memphis Appeal_ Bowing her Head, _Savannah Broadside_ The Confederate Flag, _Anna Peyre Dinnies_ Ashes of Glory, _A. J. Requier_

War Poetry of the South

Ethnogenesis.

By Henry Timrod, of S.C.

Written during the meeting of the First Southern Congress, at Montgomery, February, 1861.

I.

Hath not the morning dawned with added light? And shall not evening--call another star Out of the infinite regions of the night, To mark this day in Heaven? At last, we are A nation among nations; and the world Shall soon behold in many a distant port Another flag unfurled! Now, come what may, whose favor need we court? And, under God, whose thunder need we fear? Thank Him who placed us here Beneath so kind a sky--the very sun Takes part with us; and on our errands run All breezes of the ocean; dew and rain Do noiseless battle for us; and the Year, And all the gentle daughters in her train, March in our ranks, and in our service wield Long spears of golden grain! A yellow blossom as her fairy shield, June fling's her azure banner to the wind, While in the order of their birth Her sisters pass; and many an ample field Grows white beneath their steps, till now, behold Its endless sheets unfold THE SNOW OF SOUTHERN SUMMERS! Let the earth Rejoice! beneath those fleeces soft and warm Our happy land shall sleep In a repose as deep As if we lay intrenched behind Whole leagues of Russian ice and Arctic storm!

II.

And what if, mad with wrongs themselves have wrought, In their own treachery caught, By their own fears made bold, And leagued with him of old, Who long since, in the limits of the North, Set up his evil throne, and warred with God-- What if, both mad and blinded in their rage, Our foes should fling us down their mortal gage, And with a hostile step profane our sod! We shall not shrink, my brothers, but go forth To meet them, marshalled by the Lord of Hosts, And overshadowed by the mighty ghosts Of Moultrie and of Eutaw--who shall foil Auxiliars such as these? Nor these alone, But every stock and stone Shall help us; but the very soil, And all the generous wealth it gives to toil, And all for which we love our noble land, Shall fight beside, and through us, sea and strand, The heart of woman, and her hand, Tree, fruit, and flower, and every influence, Gentle, or grave, or grand; The winds in our defence Shall seem to blow; to us the hills shall lend Their firmness and their calm; And in our stiffened sinews we shall blend The strength of pine and palm!

III.

Nor would we shun the battle-ground, Though weak as we are strong; Call up the clashing elements around, And test the right and wrong! On one side, creeds that dare to teach What Christ and Paul refrained to preach; Codes built upon a broken pledge, And charity that whets a poniard's edge; Fair schemes that leave the neighboring poor To starve and shiver at the schemer's door, While in the world's most liberal ranks enrolled, He turns some vast philanthropy to gold; Religion taking every mortal form But that a pure and Christian faith makes warm, Where not to vile fanatic passion urged, Or not in vague philosophies submerged, Repulsive with all Pharisaic leaven, And making laws to stay the laws of Heaven! And on the other, scorn of sordid gain, Unblemished honor, truth without a stain, Faith, justice, reverence, charitable wealth, And, for the poor and humble, laws which give, Not the mean right to buy the right to live, But life, and home, and health! To doubt the end were want of trust in God, Who, if he has decreed That we must pass a redder sea Than that which rang to Miriam's holy glee, Will surely raise at need A Moses with his rod!

IV.

But let our fears-if fears we have--be still, And turn us to the future! Could we climb Some mighty Alp, and view the coming time, The rapturous sight would fill Our eyes with happy tears! Not only for the glories which the years Shall bring us; not for lands from sea to sea, And wealth, and power, and peace, though these shall be; But for the distant peoples we shall bless, And the hushed murmurs of a world's distress: For, to give labor to the poor, The whole sad planet o'er, And save from want and crime the humblest door, Is one among--the many ends for which God makes us great and rich! The hour perchance is not yet wholly ripe When all shall own it, but the type Whereby we shall be known in every land Is that vast gulf which laves our Southern strand, And through the cold, untempered ocean pours Its genial streams, that far-off Arctic shores May sometimes catch upon the softened breeze Strange tropic warmth and hints of summer seas.

God Save the South.

George H. Miles, of Baltimore.

God save the South! God save the South! Her altars and firesides-- God save the South! Now that the war is nigh-- Now that we arm to die-- Chanting--our battle-cry, Freedom or Death!

God be our shield! At home or a-field, Stretch Thine arm over us, Strengthen and save! What though they're five to one, Forward each sire and son, Strike till the war is done, Strike to the grave.

God make the right Stronger than might! Millions would trample us Down in their pride. Lay, thou, their legions low; Roll back the ruthless foe; Let the proud spoiler know God's on our side!

Hark! honor's call, Summoning all-- Summoning all of us Up to the strife. Sons of the South, awake! Strike till the brand shall break! Strike for dear honor's sake, Freedom and Life!

Rebels before Were our fathers of yore; Rebel, the glorious name Washington bore, Why, then, be ours the same Title he snatched from shame; Making it first in fame, Odious no more.

War to the hilt! Theirs be the guilt, Who fetter the freeman To ransom the slave. Up, then, and undismayed, Sheathe not the battle-blade? Till the last foe is laid Low in the grave.

God save the South! God save the South! Dry the dim eyes that now Follow our path. Still let the light feet rove Safe through the orange grove; Still keep the land we love Safe from all wrath.

God save the South! God save the South! Her altars and firesides-- God save the South! For the rude war is nigh, And we must win or die; Chanting our battle-cry Freedom or Death!

You Can Never Win Them Back.

By Catherine M. Warfield.

You can never win them back, never! never! Though they perish on the track of your endeavor; Though their corses strew the earth That smiled upon their birth, And blood pollutes each hearthstone forever!

They have risen, to a man stern and fearless; Of your curses and your ban they are careless. Every hand is on its knife; Every gun is primed for strife; Every palm contains a life high and peerless!

You have no such blood as theirs for the shedding, In the veins of Cavaliers was its heading. You have no such stately men In your abolition den, To march through foe and fen, nothing dreading.

They may fall before the fire of your legions, Paid in gold for murd'rous hire-- bought allegiance! But for every drop you shed You shall leave a mound of dead; And the vultures shall be fed in our regions.

But the battle to the strong is not given, While the Judge of right and wrong sits in heaven! And the God of David still Guides each pebble by His will; There are giants yet to kill-- wrong's unshriven.

The Southern Cross.

By E. K. Blunt.

In the name of God! Amen! Stand for our Southern rights; On our side, Southern men, The God of battles fights! Fling the invaders far-- Hurl back their work of woe-- The voice is the voice of a brother, But the hands are the hands of a foe. They come with a trampling army, Invading our native sod-- Stand, Southrons! fight and conquer, In the name of the mighty God!