War Poetry of the South

by Unknown

II.

But the Vandals with presumption--for they came in all their might--
Gave free vent unto their feelings, for they thought to win the fight;
And they forced our little cohorts to the very river's brink,
With a breath between destruction and of life's remaining link:
When the cannon of McCown, belching fire from out its mouth,
Brought destruction to the Vandals and protection to the South.