Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

Page 32 text:

The ' crossed the broken ridges, they passed the deep ra ' ine, And struggling up toward the guns their ghttering line was seen ; While still the Yankee cannoneers poured grape-shot from each gun, And aye the Grey Battalion unflinchingly pressed on ; No doubt, no fear, could chill these hearts that tasted Gloiy ' s cup, y nd as their stricken comrades fell the thinning line closed up ; The noblest sight a conq ' ring field of battle ever gave. The charge of that Battalion ! so young ! and yet so brave ! On swept the Grey Battalion ! on ! up the sloping hill ! The sunshine on its bayonets ! its colors waving still ! Unflinchingly from the slaughter ! heedless of those who fell ! For even in her urchins, Virginian ' s blood will tell ! The Boys were on their mettle ! full in both armies ie ' ! The nearer to the Yankees the taller each Boy grew ! On ! though the men are falling ! on ! till our work is done ! On I till the foe is routed ! on ! till the guns are won ! Still, still the cannon thundered ! ileath blazed into their eyes ! But still the Grey Battalion swept on toward its prize ! On, through the flaming battle ! upward until at last, In ' mong the blazing cannons the glittering ba} ' onets passed ! N ' ainlv the swarming Yankees fought ' gainst the Boys ' attack ! No foeman ' s arm could stop them, whom death coukl not hokl back ! The Boys stood wildly shouting, around each cajiturcd gun ! And Sigel ' s line was broken ! the blazing batteiy won !

Page 31 text:

Ill Pirpctuaiii Rci Mcvioy ' uiin . (Ibc Charge of tbc Ca ct£j AT rill ' . HAiTu: i)[ m; makki;i ' . ma 15. 1 64. The tluindcriiit; cannon swept the slope. TliC) ' swept the deep ravine ; Their shot tore thrcm Ii the Southern ranks Tlie ' ploU| h ' d the ijround between, Tile i,ditteriii i;- line ol Si-el stnod, twofold njion the hill ; And from its crest that st. irm of death swept back the rebels still. In vain was many a tjallant deed of soldiers ' diit - done : Kre the - mit ht rout their serried foes the batter - must be won ! And now the - ' r ordered forward, to storm the Xorthern t inis : The L,dorious (irey Hattali( n. X ' irLjinia ' s youns est sons ! It was the bo s ' first battle ! ihcy burned to strike the foe ! Their hearts are wild fur ' ;lor)- ! and with a shout the ' i;o I Three hundred school-boy soldiers ! three hundred hero elves ! And some whose gleaming rifles were taller than themselves I The - charged like men of iron nene. tlirough storms of slmt and shell 1 Xor broke their step, nor waved their line though man - a youngster fell. The sunshine on their colors ! the flag of Liberty The sunshine of their ba -onets ! a glorious sight to see.

Page 33 text:

And while tlic)- turned their cannon upon their bentcn foe. The Southern line, a gallant sight ! came charging from below ; The Patriot bayonet swept the ridge! the foes who stood the-)- mowed I And Sigel ' s army routed, went flying down the road ! The heroes of the battle field drank deep of Glory ' s joys — The conq ' ring Grey Battalion I the gallant Southern Boys ! Their fame will live forever ! as long as war is taught, A lesson to the ages has the Battalion fought. And while Virginia ' s mountains stand, and while her rivers flow, .Still will she rear the Patriot Band, her guard ' gainst eveiy foe ; . nd while she marshals her brave sons to learn the soldiers ' art. The Halls where Stonewall Jackson taught, will be ' Virginia ' s Heart! The Patriot of the times to come, the soldiers whom she rears, ■VViU ever prove them worthy sons of her great Cavaliers ! Inheriting their names and fame, stand in their Father ' s place. The Body Guard of Freedom ! Virginia ' s Warrior Race ! And age, as the Battalion hears the rolling of the drum. Shall might) ' mem ' ries stir the breast of Captains -et to conic ; Grand mem ' ries of that glorious field ! of its ictorious fight ! Bright mem ' ries of its gallant dead who died for God and Right ! Heroes of battles }et unfought will learn their dut - here. To tread the path of Glon ' without reproach or fear ! To tread the path of W ' .ashington ! of Jackson ! and of Lee ! To battle for their country ! to keep Virginia free !