The Southern war poetry of the Civil War

by Esther Parker Ellinger

To the Parents of the Youthful Patriot, Melzar G. Fiske, who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill, near Richmond, July 1, 1862. By their friend and Pastor, Rev. I. W. K. Handy, D. D. (S. L. M., Ed. Table, March, ’63.)

“Father! Mother! dry your tears;

Cease your noble boy to mourn,”—

To The Rappahannock: By James D. Blackwell. (E. V. M., ’69.)

“Flow on, thou bright river, flow on to the deep,

And soothe with thy murmurs the dead in their sleep”—

To The Sons of the Sunny South: Written by a lad only twelve or thirteen years old. March 20, 1862. (S. L. M., Ed. Table, April, ’62.)

“O that I were a man, that I could grasp the sword,

By love of country and high hopes of victory lured,”—

To the Southern Cross: By Henry C. Alexander. (S. L. M., August, ’63.)