Virginia Military Institute - Bomb Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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 !

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 34 text:

' knciu ' not down the ages, what other wars may come. What i ther faces ma - gather to rob us of our home ; But tliis we know ! her spirit still h etli as of yore. Her hne of Heroes fails not ! nor shall foreverniore ! Her Body (niard of Freedom stands in unbroken pouer ! And God will raise the leader at the appointed hour I The graves of her great Rebels her rallying grountl w ill be ! No matter who invades her ! Virginia will be free I — Hciirv . Ilanisoii. Note. Gen, Breckinridge, Uie Confederate Secretary of War, told me in Richmond, Jannary 1 65. tliat the cliarge of tlie Cadets was the most splendid sight that he had ever st He said that they got into the charge without his knowing it, that he had tried to keep them, as much as possible, out of harm ' s way. He heard his men cheering, looked up and saw Battalion which he knew at once by the size of the men, and by its fine appearance sweeping across the battlefield as if on Dress Parade and it was too late to save it. He said it aln broke his heart to see the Boys dropping, and the gaps made in their line by the terrible fire ; but that the way they closed up and went up to the Yankee guns was the most glorious th (iR.WF.S (IF C. DETS WHO TKLL IN tllE B.VrTLE OF NKW M.VRKEr.