"Oh, for a thousand men
Like these that melt away!"
And down they came,
With steel and flame,
Four thousand to the fray!
Right through the blackest cloud
Their lightning path they cleft;
And triumph came
With deathless fame
To our unconquered "Left."
Ye of your sons secure,
Ye of your dead bereft—
Honor the brave
Who died to save
Your all upon "Our Left."
Francis Orrery Ticknor.
On the following day, Jackson again attacked at Chantilly, an indecisive action lasting all day. During the battle, General Philip Kearny pushed forward to reconnoitre and came upon a Confederate outpost which summoned him to surrender. Instead, he clapped spurs to his horse and endeavored to escape, but was shot and killed.
DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER
[September 1, 1862]
Close his eyes; his work is done!
What to him is friend or foeman,
Rise of moon, or set of sun,
Hand of man, or kiss of woman?
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? he cannot know:
Lay him low!
As man may, he fought his fight,
Proved his truth by his endeavor;
Let him sleep in solemn night,
Sleep forever and forever.
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? he cannot know:
Lay him low!
Fold him in his country's stars,
Roll the drum and fire the volley!
What to him are all our wars,
What but death-bemocking folly?
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? he cannot know:
Lay him low!