Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/45

Rh Stern weather is all unwonted here.

The people of the country own

We brought it. Yea, the earnest North

Has elementally issued forth

To storm this Donelson.

.

A yelling rout

Of ragamuffins broke profuse

To-day from out the Fort.

Sole uniform they wore, a sort

Of patch, or white badge (as you choose)

Upon the arm. But leading these,

Or mingling, were men of face

And bearing of patrician race,

Splendid in courage and gold lace—

The officers. Before the breeze

Made by their charge, down went our line;

But, rallying, charged back in force,

And broke the sally; yet with loss.

This on the left; upon the right

Meanwhile there was an answering fight;

Assailants and assailed reversed.

The charge too upward, and not down—

Up a steep ridge-side, toward its crown,

A strong redoubt. But they who first