Before Richmond
by Mortimer Collins
From the British Army and Navy Review
December 1864
"Grant will hurl a thunderbolt
At the heart of the revolt"
We shall see!
Other men have tried and failed,
Other men have blanched and quailed,
Forcing Lee.
What though Jackson, dear to God,
Lies beneath the battle sod,
Dark and cold?
What though Stewart in earth is laid,
He who won in rapid raid
Spurs of gold?
Longstreet in his anguish lies;
Tears are marking soldiers' eyes
Strangely dim And we hold our breath and say,
Does Death's angel come this way,
Seeking him?"
For the Lord of Hosts,
Who gave These great men our land to save,
Knoweth best.
We to the last man shall fight,
Doing battle for the right
His the rest.
On, then, Grant; we see the gray,
Kill your myriads that ye may
Crush the free!
But there are great deeds to do,
Ere your mercenary crew
Passes Lee.
