Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/228



"Major," burst in a bugler small,

"The fellow we left in Loudon grass—

Sir slyboots with the inward bruise,

His voice I heard—the very same—

Some watchword in the ambush pass;

Ay, sir, we had him in his shoes—

We caught him—Mosby—but to lose!"

"Go, go!—these saddle-dreamers! Well,

And here's another.—Cool, sir, cool"

"Major, I saw them mount and sweep,

And one was humped, or I mistake,

And in the skurry dropped his wool"

"A wig! go fetch it:—the lads need sleep;

They'll next see Mosby in a sheep!

"Come, come, fall back! reform yours ranks—

All's jackstraws here! Where's Captain Morn?—

We've parted like boats in a raging tide!

But stay-the Colonel—did he charge?

And comes he there? 'Tis streak of dawn;

Mosby is off, the woods are wide—

Hist! there's a groan—this crazy ride!"