Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/68

62 thought that the enemy held the road from James Island to Taylor's Island, and could bring reinforcements from that direction. Had he known that we had passed that road and cut the enemy off from that means of succor he would have continued the advance. The haste with which the enemy left the island, showed, conclusively, that their force was not deemed sufficient to hold their position. General Montgomery probably expected the attack to be renewed on the next day.

Rear aloft the solid column—

Rear it high that men may see

How the valiant honor valor—

How the brave remember Lee.

Poise him on the lofty summit

Of the white enduring stone,

Where his form may linger, teaching

In dumb majesty alone.

Never braver spirit battled,

Never grander soldier shone,

Than this victor—vanquished only

When his hosts were overborne.

Give him greeting while he rises

On this monument to-day,

As the warrior who led armies

To the enemy's dismay;

As the hero thrice encompased—

Thrice outnumbered by the foe—

Who with all the odds against him.

Still resisted overthrow.

He, the leader of the legions—

He, the chieftain of the brave—

He, the model man and Christian,

Sleeping where the willows wave—

Shall be numbered with the noblest

That have ever swayed the world,

Though his cause be lost forever

And his fated flag be furled.