Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/48



Donelson.

These ‘craven Southerners’ hold out;

Ay, ay, they'll give you many a bout.”

“We'll beat in the end, sir,”

Firmly said one in staid rebuke,

A solid merchant, square and stout.

“And do you think it? that way tend, sir?”

Asked the lean Copperhead, with a look

Of splenetic pity. “Yes, I do.”

His yellow death’s head the croaker shook:

“The country’s ruined, that I know.”

A shower of broken ice and snow,

In lieu of words, confuted him;

They saw him hustled round the corner go,

And each by-stander said—Well suited him.

Next day another crowd was seen

In the dark weather’s sleety spleen.

Bald-headed to the storm came out

A man, who, ’mid a joyous shout,

Silently posted this brief sheet:

GLORIOUS VICTORY OF THE FLEET!

FRIDAY'S GREAT EVENT!

THE ENEMY'S WATER_BATTERIES BEAT!