THE GALLANT FIGHTING "JOE"
[May 4, 5, 1862]
From Yorktown on the fourth of May
The rebels did skedaddle,
And to pursue them on their way
Brave Hooker took the saddle.
"I'll lead you on, brave boys," he said,
"Where danger points the way;"
And drawing forth his shining blade,
"Move onward!" he did say.
Chorus—Then we'll shout hurrah for Hooker, boys,
The gallant fighting Joe;
We'll follow him with heart and hand,
Wherever he does go.
"Forward, March!" then was the word
That passed from front to rear,
When all the men with one accord
Gave a loud and hearty cheer.
And then with Hooker at our head,
We marched in order good,
Till darkness all around us spread,
When we lay down in the wood.
Early next morn by break of day,
The rain in torrents fell;
"This day," brave Hooker he did say,
"Your valor it will tell.
Williamsburg is very near,
Be steady every man,
Let every heart be filled with cheer,
And I will take the van."
The gallant Massachusetts men
Fought well and nobly, too,
As did the men from good old Penn.,
And Jersey, ever true,
And Sickles' men like lions brave,
Their courage did display,
For gallantly they did behave
On the battle-field that day.
The men from Mass. and good old Penn.
That morn the fight began,
And like true, noble-hearted men,
Most nobly they did stand.
When Jersey's sons, the bold, the brave,
Not fearing lead nor steel,
Their gallant comrades for to save,
Dashed boldly to the field.
By every means the rebels sought
To stand the Jerseys' fire,
But soon for them it was too hot,
And they quickly did retire.
But getting reënforced again
With numbers very great,
The gallant band of Jerseymen
Were forced for to retreat.
"Now, Sickles' men," Hooker did say,
"Move out to the advance;
If you your courage would display,
Now you have got a chance.
The foe have forced us to give way,
They number six to one,
But still, my lads, we'll gain the day,
And I will lead you on."