Brag's our game: and awful losers
We've been on the Red.
Under and above the table,
Awfully we've bled.
Ne'er a stake have we adventured,
But we've lost it still
From Bull's Run and mad Manassas,
Down to Sharpsburg Hill.
When luck's desperate, desperate venture
Still may bring it back:
So I'll chance it—neck or nothing—
Here I lead THE BLACK!
If I win, the South must pay for't,
Pay in fire and gore:
If I lose, I'm ne'er a dollar
Worse off than before.
From the Slaves of Southern rebels
Thus I strike the chain:
But the slaves of loyal owners
Still shall slaves remain.
If their owners like to wop 'em,
They to wop are masters;
Or if they prefer to swop 'em,
Here are our shin-plasters!
There! If that 'ere Proclamation
Does its holy work,
Rebeldom's annihilation
It did oughter work:
Back to Union, and you're welcome
Each to wop his nigger:
If not, at White let slip darky—
Guess I call that vigour!
In September, 1862, the two combatants are represented as sinking exhausted into the arms of negro backers, who are vainly attempting to put them on their feet. In the background stands a self-important eagle arrayed in the Napoleonic uniform and a biped lion dressed in a sack coat and an air of conscious superiority.
Says the eagle to the lion, "Don't you think we ought to fetch the police?"
The legend under the cartoon runs, "Not Up to Time, or Interference Would Be Very Welcome."
In the following January comes a well imagined cartoon entitled "The Latest From Spirit Land," showing the bluff and kindly ghost of George III trying to enter into conversation with the stiffly stupid ghost of Mr. Washington. "Well, Mr. Washington," says George, "what do you think of your fine republic now, eh? What d'ye think? What d'ye think, eh?" To which Mr. Washington retorts with an inarticulate "Humph!"
In May of 1863 a cartoon entitled "The Great Cannon Game" shows Abe Lincoln playing billiards with Jeff Davis. It is the latter's shot.
"Hurrah for Charleston!" he cries; "that's another to me."