Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/251



Mark the great Captains on both sides,

The soldiers with the broad renown—

They all were messmates on the Hudson's marge,

Beneath one roof they laid them down;

And free from hate in many an after pass,

Strove as in school-boy rivalry of the class.

A darker side there is; but doubt

In Nature's charity hovers there:

If men for new agreement yearn,

Then old upbraiding best forbear:

"The South's the sinner!" Well, so let it be;

But shall the North sin worse, and stand the Pharisee?

O, now that brave men yield the sword,

Mine be the manful soldier-view;

By how much more they boldly warred,

By so much more is mercy due:

When Vickburg fell, and the moody files marched out,

Silent the victors stood, scorning to raise a shout.