“Stonewall” Jackson’s Way
These verses, according to the newspaper account, may have been found in the bosom of a dead rebel, after one of Jackson’s battles in the Shenandoah valley; but we are pleased to state that the author of them is a still living rebel, and able to write even better things.
Come, stack arms, men! Pile on the rails;
Stir up the camp-fire bright;
No matter if the canteen fails,
We’ll make a roaring night.
Here Shenandoah brawls along,
Here burly Blue Ridge echoes strong,
To swell the brigade’s rousing song,
Of “Stonewall Jackson’s way.”
We see him now—the old slouched hat
Cocked o’er his eye askew—
The shrewd dry smile—the speech so pat,
So calm, so blunt, so true.
The “Blue Light Elder” knows ’em well:
Says he, “That’s Banks; he’s fond of shell.
Lord save his soul! we’ll give him ——” well
That’s “Stonewall Jackson’s way.”
Silence! Ground arms! Kneel all! Caps off!
Old “Blue Light’s” going to pray.
Strangle the fool that dares to scoff!
Attention! it’s his way!
Appealing from his native sod
In forma pauperis to God,
“Lay bare thine arm! Stretch forth thy rod!
Amen!” That’s Stonewall’s way.
He’s in the saddle now: Fall in!
Steady! The whole brigade!
Hill’s at the ford, cut off; we’ll win
His way out, ball and blade.
What matter if our shoes are worn?
What matter if our feet are torn?
Quick step! we’re with him before dawn!
That’s Stonewall Jackson’s way!
The sun’s bright lances rout the mists
Of morning—and, by George!
Here’s Longstreet, struggling in the lists,
Hemmed in an ugly gorge.
Pope and his Yankees, whipped before:
“Bayonets and grape!” hear Stonewall roar;
“Charge, Stuart! Pay off Ashby’s score,
In Stonewall Jackson’s way!”
Ah, maiden! wait, and watch, and yearn,
For news of Stonewall’s band!
Ah, widow! read—with eyes that burn,
That ring upon thy hand!
Ah! wife, sew on, pray on, hope on:
Thy life shall not be all forlorn.
The foe had better ne’er been born,
That gets in Stonewall’s way.