Scream of the travailing shells as they burst o’er the cloud-covered valley.
Trembled the solid earth, as she thrills in the throes of the earthquake;
Prickled the sulphurous air with the demon-breath of the powder;
Fainted the hearts of men at the endless unbearable clamor;
Filled were the heaven and the earth with the clang of that duel of iron:
Such they beheld not before, and heard not,—a combat of giants!
What did it mean on the earth? Stark terror and blood and confusion;
Shriek of the battery-horses, and hell-blaze of caissons exploding;
Reel of the torn cannoneer as he suddenly drops by his cannon,
Spring of the quick volunteer to snatch from his dead hand the rammer;