To-day a mother crowned with pain,
Of silver beauty beyond stain,
Clasping a flower for our land
A-sheathèd in her hand.
Each pointed leaf with sword-like strength,
Guarding the flower throughout its length;
Each sword has won a sweet release
To the flower of beauty and of peace.
Ring the bells, nor ring them slowly,
To the Lord the day is holy;
To the young dead we consecrate
These lives that now we dedicate.
Annie Fields.
Lee's army, released from Richmond by McClellan's retreat, hastened to face Pope, while Jackson got in Pope's rear, captured Manassas Junction, cut Pope's communications, formed a junction with Longstreet, and on August 30, 1862, defeated the Union forces at the second battle of Bull Run.
"OUR LEFT"
[August 30, 1862]
From dawn to dark they stood
That long midsummer day,
While fierce and fast
The battle blast
Swept rank on rank away.
From dawn to dark they fought,
With legions torn and cleft;
And still the wide
Black battle tide
Poured deadlier on "Our Left."
They closed each ghastly gap;
They dressed each shattered rank;
They knew—how well—
That freedom fell
With that exhausted flank.