War Poetry of the South

They have lost a cause, but they have made a triumph! They have shown themselves worthy of any manhood; and will leave a record which shall survive all the caprices of time. They have proved themselves worthy of the best womanhood, and, in their posterity, will leave no race which shall be unworthy of the cause which is lost, or of the mothers, sisters and wives, who have taught such noble lessons of virtuous effort, and womanly endurance.

W.G.S.

Preface.

Several considerations have prompted the editor of this volume in the compilation of its pages. It constitutes a contribution to the national literature which is assumed to be not unworthy of it, and which is otherwise valuable as illustrating the degree of mental and art development which has been made, in a large section of the country, under circumstances greatly calculated to stimulate talent and provoke expression, through the higher utterances of passion and imagination. Though sectional in its character, and indicative of a temper and a feeling which were in conflict with nationality, yet, now that the States of the Union have been resolved into one nation, this collection is essentially as much the property of the whole as are the captured cannon which were employed against it during the progress of the late war. It belongs to the national literature, and will hereafter be regarded as constituting a proper part of it, just as legitimately to be recognized by the nation as are the rival ballads of the cavaliers and roundheads, by the English, in the great civil conflict of their country.

The emotional literature of a people is as necessary to the philosophical historian as the mere details of events in the progress of a nation. This is essential to the reputation of the Southern people, as illustrating their feelings, sentiments, ideas, and opinions--the motives which influenced their actions, and the objects which they had in contemplation, and which seemed to them to justify the struggle in which they were engaged. It shows with what spirit the popular mind regarded the course of events, whether favorable or adverse; and, in this aspect, it is even of more importance to the writer of history than any mere chronicle of facts. The mere facts in a history do not always, or often, indicate the true animus, of the action. But, in poetry and song, the emotional nature is apt to declare itself without reserve--speaking out with a passion which disdains subterfuge, and through media of imagination and fancy, which are not only without reserve, but which are too coercive in their own nature, too arbitrary in their influence, to acknowledge any restraints upon that expression, which glows or weeps with emotions that gush freely and freshly from the heart. With this persuasion, we can also forgive the muse who, in her fervor, is sometimes forgetful of her art.

And yet, it is believed that the numerous pieces of this volume will be found creditable to the genius and culture of the Southern people, and honorable, as in accordance with their convictions. They are derived from all the States of the late Southern Confederacy, and will be found truthfully to exhibit the sentiment and opinion prevailing more or less generally throughout the whole. The editor has had special advantages in making the compilation. Having a large correspondence in most of the Southern States, he has found no difficulty in procuring his material. Contributions have poured in upon him from all portions of the South; the original publications having been, in a large number of cases, subjected to the careful revision of the several authors. It is a matter of great regret with him that the limits of the present volume have not suffered him to do justice to, and find a place for, many of the pieces which fully deserve to be put on record. Some of the poems were quite too long for his purpose; a large number, delayed by the mails and other causes, were received too late for publication. Several collections, from Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas, especially, are omitted for this reason. Many of these pieces are distinguished by fire, force, passion, and a free play of fancy. Briefly, his material would enable him to prepare another volume, similar to the present, which would not be unworthy of its companionship. He is authorized by his publisher to say that, in the event of the popular success of the present volume, he will cheerfully follow up its publication by a second, of like style, character, and dimensions.

The editor has seen with pleasure the volume of "Rebel Rhymes" edited by Mr. Moore, and of "South Songs," by Mr. De Leon. He has seen, besides, a single number of a periodical pamphlet called "The Southern Monthly," published at Memphis, Tenn. This has been supplied him by a contributor. He has seen no other publications of this nature, though he has heard of others, and has sought for them in vain. There may be others still forthcoming; for, in so large a field, with a population so greatly scattered as that of the South, it is a physical impossibility adequately to do justice to the whole by any one editor; and each of the sections must make its own contributions, in its own time, and according to its several opportunities. There will be room enough for all; and each, I doubt not, will possess its special claims to recognition and reward.

His own collections, made during the progress of the war, from the newspapers, chiefly, of South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, were copious. Of these, many have been omitted from this collection, which, he trusts, will some day find another medium of publication. He has been able to ascertain the authorship, in many cases, of these writings; but must regret still that so many others, under a too fastidious delicacy, deny that their names should be made known. It is to be hoped that they will hereafter be supplied. To the numerous ladies who have so frankly and generously contributed to this collection, by sending originals and making copies, he begs to offer his most grateful acknowledgments.

A large proportion of the pieces omitted are of elegiac character. Of this class, he could find a place for such pieces only as were dedicated to the most distinguished of the persons falling in battle, or such as are marked by the higher characteristics of poetry--freshness, thought, and imagination. But many of the omitted pieces are quite worthy of preservation. Much space has not been given to that class of songs, camp catches, or marching ballads, which are so numerous in the "Rebel Rhymes" of Mr. Moore. The songs which are most popular are rarely such as may claim poetical rank. They depend upon lively music and certain spirit-stirring catchwords, and are rarely worked up with much regard to art or even, propriety. Still, many of these should have found a place in this volume, had adequate space been allowed the editor. It is his desire, as well as that of the publisher, to collect and bind together these fugitives in yet another publication. He will preserve the manuscripts and copies of all unpublished pieces, with the view to this object--keeping them always subject to the wishes of their several writers.

At the close, he must express the hope that these poems will be recognized, not only as highly creditable to the Southern mind, but as truly illustrative, if not justificatory of, that sentiment and opinion with which they have been written; which sentiment and opinion have sustained their people through a war unexampled in its horrors in modern times, and which has fully tested their powers of endurance, as well as their ability in creating their own resources, under all reverses, and amidst every form of privation.

W.G.S.

Brooklyn, September 8, 1866.

Contents.

Ethnogenesis, Henry Timrod God Save the South, George H. Miles "You can never win them back", Catherine M. Warfield The Southern Cross, E. K. Blunt South Carolina, S. Henry Dickson The New Star, B. M. Anderson The Irrepressible Conflict, Tyrtæus The Southern Republic, Olivia T. Thomas "Is there then no Hope?", Charleston Courier The Fate of the Republic, Charleston Mercury The Voice of the South, Charleston Mercury The Oath of Freedom, James Barron Hope The Battle Cry of the South, James R. Randall Sonnet, Charleston Mercury Seventy-six and Sixty-one, J. W. Overall "Reddato Gladium", Richmond Whig "Nay, keep the Sword", Richmond Whig Coercion, John R. Thompson A Cry to Arms, Henry Timrod Jackson, the Alexandria Martyr, W. H. Holcombe The Martyr of Alexandria, James W. Simmons The Blessed Union, Charleston Mercury The Fire of Freedom, Richmond paper Hymn to the National Flag, Mrs. M. J. Preston Sonnet--moral of party, Charleston Mercury Our Faith in '61, A. J. Requier "Wouldst thou have me love thee?", Alex. B. Meek Enlisted to-day, Anonymous "My Maryland", James R. Randall The Boy Soldier, Lady of Savannah The good old cause, John D. Phelan Manassas, Catherine M. Warfield Virginia, Ibid. The War-Christian's Thanksgiving, S. Teackle Wallis Sonnet, Charleston Mercury Marching to Death, J. Herbert Sass Charleston, Henry Timrod Charleston, Paul H. Hayne "Ye Men of Alabama", Jno. D. Phelan Nec temere, nec timida, Annie C. Ketchum Dixie, Albert Pike The Old Rifleman, Frank Ticknor Battle Hymn, Charleston Mercury Kentucky, she is sold, J. R. Barrick The Ship of State, Charleston Mercury "In his blanket on the ground," Caroline H. Gervais The Mountain Partisan, Charleston Mercury The Cameo Bracelet, James R. Randall Zollicoffer, Henry L. Flash Beauregard, Catherine M. Warfield South Carolina, Gossypium Carolina, Henry Timrod My Mother Land, Paul H. Hayne Joe Johnston, Jno. R. Thompson Over the River, Jane T. H. Cross The Confederacy, Jane T. H. Cross President Davis, Jane T. H. Cross The Rifleman's Fancy Shot, Anonymous "All quiet along the Potomac" Prize Address, Henry Timrod The Battle of Richmond, Geo. Herbert Sass The Guerrillas, S. Teackle Wallis A Farewell to Pope, Jno. R. Thompson Sonnet--Public Prayer, South Carolinian Battle of Belmont, J.A. Signaigo Vicksburg, Paul H. Hayne Ballad of the War, G.H. Sass The two Armies, Henry Timrod The Legion of Honor, H.L. Flash Clouds in the West, A.J. Requier Georgia! My Georgia!, Carrie B. Sinclair Song of the Texan Rangers, Anonymous Kentucky required to yield her arms, Anonymous There's life in the old land yet, J.B. Randall "Tell the boys the War is ended," Emily J. Moore The Southern Cross, St. George Tucker England's Neutrality, John R. Thompson Close the Ranks, J.L. O'Sullivan The Sea-kings of the South, Ed. G. Bruce The Return, Anonymous Our Christmas Hymn, J. Dickson Bruns Charleston, Miss E.B. Cheesborough Gathering Song, Annie Chambers Ketchum Christmas, Henry Timrod A Prayer for Peace, S. Teackle Wallis The Band in the Pines, Jno. Esten Cooke At Fort Pillow, James R. Randall From the Rapidan, Anonymous Song of our Southland, Mrs. Mary Ware Sonnets, Paul H. Hayne Hospital Duties, Charleston Courier They cry Peace, Peace! Mrs. Alethea S. Burroughs Ballad--"What! have ye thought?" Charleston Mercury Missing, Anonymous Ode--"Souls of Heroes," Charleston Mercury Jackson, Henry L. Flash Captain Maffit's Ballad, Charleston Mercury Melt the Bells, F. T. Rockett John Pelham, James R. Randall "Ye batteries of Beauregard," J. R. Barrick "When Peace returns," Olivia T. Thomas The Right above the Wrong, J. W. Overall Carmen Triumphale, Henry Timrod The Fiend Unbound, Charleston Mercury The Unknown Dead, Henry Timrod Ode--"Do ye quail?" W. Gilmore Simms Ode--"Our City by the Sea," Ibid. The Lone Sentry, J. R. Randall My Soldier Brother, Sallie E. Bollard Seaweeds, Annie Chambers Ketchum The Salkehatchie, Emily J. Moore The Broken Mug, Jno. Esten Cooke Carolina, Anna Peyre Dinnies Our Martyrs, Paul H. Hayne Cleburne, Mrs. M. A. Jennings The Texan Marseillaise, James Harris "O, tempora! O, mores," J. Dickson Bruns Our Departed Comrades, J. M. Shirer No Land like Ours, J. R. Barrick The Angel of the Church, W. Gilmore Simms Ode--"Shell the old City," Ibid. The Enemy shall never reach your City, Charleston Mercury War Waves, Catherine G. Poyas Old Moultrie, Ibid. Only one killed, Julia L. Keyes Land of King Cotton, J. A. Signaigo If you love me, Ibid. The Cotton Boll, Henry Timrod Battle of Charleston Harbor, Paul H. Hayne Fort Wagner, W. Gilmore Simms Sumter in Ruins, Ibid. Morris Island, Ibid. Promise of Spring, South Carolinian Spring, Henry Timrod Chickamauga, Richmond Sentinel In Memoriam--Bishop Polk, Viola Stonewall Jackson, H. L. Flash Stonewall Jackson--a Dirge, Anonymous Beaufort, W. J. Grayson The Empty Sleeve, J. R. Bagby Cotton Burners' Hymn, Memphis Appeal Reading the List, Anonymous His Last Words, Anonymous Charge of Hagood's Brigade, J. Blythe Allston Carolina, Jno. A, Wagener Savannah, Alethea S. Burroughs "Old Betsy," John Killian Awake! Arise! G. W. Archer Albert Sydney Johnston, Mary Jervey Eulogy of the Dead, B. F. Porter The Beaufort Exile, Anonymous Somebody's Darling, Miss Maria LaCoste John Pegram, W. Gordon McGabe Captives Going Home, Anonymous Heights of Mission Ridge, J. A. Signaigo Our Left at Manassas, Anonymous On to Richmond, J. R. Thompson Turner Ashby, Ibid. Captain Latanè, Ibid. The Men, Maurice Bell The Rebel Soldier, Kentucky Girl Battle of Hampton Roads, Ossian D. Gorman "Is this a time to dance?" Anonymous The Maryland Line, J. D, McCabe, Jr. I give my Soldier Boy a blade, H. M. L. Sonnet--Avatar of Hell, Anonymous Stonewall Jackson's Way, Anonymous The Silent March, Anonymous Pro Memoria, Ina M. Porter Southern Homes in Ruins, R. B. Vance Rappahannock Army Song, J. C. McLemore Soldier in the Rain, Julia L. Keyes My Country, W. D. Porter After the Battle, Miss Agnes Leonard Our Confederate Dead, Lady of Augusta Ye Cavaliers of Dixie, B. F. Porter Song of Spring, Jno. A. Wagener What the Village Bell said, Jno. C. McLemore The Tree, the Serpent, and the Star, A. P. Gray Southern War Hymn, Jno. A. Wagener The Battle Rainbow, J. R. Thompson Stonewall Jackson, Richmond Broadside Dirge for Ashby, Mrs. M. J. Preston Sacrifice, Charleston Mercury Sonnet, Ibid. Grave of A. Sydney Johnston, J. B. Synott "Not doubtful of your Fatherland," Charleston Mercury Only a Soldier's grave, S. A. Jonas The Guerrilla Martyrs, Charleston Mercury "Libera Nos, O Domine!" James Barron Hope The Knell shall sound once more, Charleston Mercury Gendron Palmer, of the Holcombe Legion, Ina M. Porter Mumford, the Martyr of New Orleans, Ibid. The Foe at the Gates--Charleston, J. Dickson Bruns Savannah Fallen, Alethea S. Burroughs Bull Run--A Parody, Anonymous "Stack Arms," Jos. Blythe Allston Doffing the Gray, Lieutenant Falligant In the Land where we were dreaming, D. B. Lucas Ballad--"Yes, build your Walls," Charleston Mercury The Lines around Petersburg, Samuel Davis All is gone, Fadette--_Memphis Appeal_ Bowing her Head, Savannah Broadside The Confederate Flag, Anna Peyre Dinnies Ashes of Glory, A. J. Requier