Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/292

 288 Southern Historical Society Papers.

and patriotic conduct in field and camp. He is now a well known author, living at Boyce, Va., and has published a volume of poems called "Echoes of the Glen."

Soon after the battle of Seven Pines Captain Carter wrote a stirring poem, commemorative of that great battle, which I think is worthy of repetition in this connection, especially as he alludes in complimentary terms to the I2th Alabama regiment:

"RODES' BRIGADE AT SEVEN PINES, MAY 3isT, 1862.

"Down by the valley 'mid thunder and lightning,

Down by the valley mid jettings of light, Down by the deep crimson valley of Richmond,

The twenty-five hundred moved on to the fight. Onward, still onward, to the portals of glory,

To the sepulchered chambers, yet never dismayed, Down by the deep crimson valley of Richmond,

Marched the bold warriors of Rodes' brigade.

"See ye the fires and flashes still leaping,

Hear ye the beating and pelting of storm, See ye the banners of proud Alabama,

In front of her columns move steadily on; Hear ye the music that gladdens each comrade

As it comes through the air 'mid torrents of sounds, Hear ye the booming adown the red valley,

Carter unbuckles his swarthy old hounds.

"Twelfth Mississippi! I saw your brave column

Push through the channels of living and dead, TWELTH ALABAMA! why weep your old war horse,* 1

He died, as he wished, in the gear at your head. Seven Pines! you will tell on the pages of glory,

How the blood of the South ebbed away ' neath your shade , How the lads of Virginia fought in the Red Valley

And fell in the column of Rodes' brigade.

"Fathers and mothers, ye weep for your jewels, Sisters, ye weep for your brothers in vain,

Maidens, ye weep for your sunny-eyed lovers, Weep, for they never can come back again.


 * Col. R. T. Jones.