Achilles Deatheridge
by Edgar Lee Masters
"Your name is Achilles Deatheridge?
How old are you my boy?"
"I'm sixteen past, and I went to the war
From Athens, Illinois."
"Achilles Deatheridge, you have done
A deed of dreadful note.
It comes of his wearing a battered hat,
And a rusty , wrinkled coat"
"Why, didn't you know how plain he is?
And didn't you ever hear
That he goes through the lines by day or night
Like a sooty cannoneer?"
"You must have been half dead for sleep,
For the dawn was growin' bright."
"Well, Captain, I had stood right there
Since six o'clock last night."
"I cocked my gun at the swish of the grass,
And how am I at fault
When a dangerous looking man won't stop
When a sentry hollers halt?"
"I cried out halt, and he only smiled
And waved his hand like that.
Why any Johnnie could wear the coat
And any fellow the hat."
" I hollered halt again, and he stopped
And lighted a fresh cigar.
I never noticed his shoulder badge,
And I never noticed a star."
"So you arrested him? Well, Achilles,
When you hear the swish of the grass,
If it's General Grant inspecting the lines,
Hereafter, let him pass."
