“Our Left at Manassas”

From dawn to dark they stood,
That long midsummer’s day!
While fierce and fast
The battle-blast
Swept rank on rank away!

From dawn to dark, they fought
With legions swept and cleft,
While black and wide,
The battle-tide
Poured ever on our “Left!”

They closed each ghastly gap!
They dressed each shattered rank
They knew, how well!
That Freedom fell
With that exhausted flank!

“Oh! for a thousand men,
Like these that melt away!”
And down they came,
With steel and flame,
Four thousand to the fray!

They left the laggard train;
The panting steam might stay;
And down they came,
With steel and flame,
Head-foremost to the fray!

Right through the blackest cloud
Their lightning-path they cleft!
Freedom and Fame
With triumph came
To our immortal Left.

Ye! of your living, sure!
Ye! of your dead, bereft!
Honor the brave
Who died to save
Your all, upon our Left.