To war,—and with our brethren, then,—if only this can be!
Life hangs as nothing in the scale against dear Liberty!
Though hearts be torn asunder, for Freedom we will fight:
Our blood may seal the victory, but God will shield the Right!
Lucy Larcom.
Baltimore was in a frenzy, the streets were crowded with Southern sympathizers, and an attack upon the troops soon began. A desperate fight followed, in which three soldiers were killed and about twenty wounded. Nine citizens of Baltimore were killed, and many wounded—how many is not known.
THROUGH BALTIMORE
[April 19, 1861]
'Twas Friday morn: the train drew near
The city and the shore.
Far through the sunshine, soft and clear,
We saw the dear old flag appear,
And in our hearts arose a cheer
For Baltimore.
Across the broad Patapsco's wave,
Old Fort McHenry bore
The starry banner of the brave,
As when our fathers went to save,
Or in the trenches find a grave
At Baltimore.
Before us, pillared in the sky,
We saw the statue soar
Of Washington, serene and high:—
Could traitors view that form, nor fly?
Could patriots see, nor gladly die
For Baltimore?
"O city of our country's song!
By that swift aid we bore
When sorely pressed, receive the throng
Who go to shield our flag from wrong,
And give us welcome, warm and strong,
In Baltimore!"
We had no arms; as friends we came,
As brothers evermore,
To rally round one sacred name—
The charter of our power and fame:
We never dreamed of guilt and shame
In Baltimore.