'Twas November the fourth, in year of ninety-one,
We had a sore engagement near to Fort Jefferson;
Sainclaire was our commander, which may remembered be,
For there we left nine hundred men in t' West'n Ter'tory.
At Bunker's Hill and Quebec, where many a hero fell,
Likewise at Long Island, (it is I the truth can tell,)
But such a dreadful carnage may I never see again
As hap'ned near St. Mary's upon the river plain.
Our army was attacked just as the day did dawn,
And soon were overpowered and driven from the lawn;
They killed Major Ouldham, Levin, and Briggs likewise,
And horrid yell of savages resounded thro' the skies.
Major Butler was wounded the very second fire;
His manly bosom swell'd with rage when forc'd to retire;
And as he lay in anguish, nor scarcely could he see,
Exclaimed, "Ye hounds of hell, O! revenged I will be."
We had not been long broken when General Butler found
Himself so badly wounded, was forced to quit the ground;
"My God!" says he, "what shall we do; we're wounded every man
Go, charge them, valiant heroes, and beat them if you can."
He leaned his back against a tree, and there resigned his breath,
And like a valiant soldier sunk in the arms of death;
When blessed angels did await, his spirit to convey;
And unto the celestial fields he quickly bent his way.
We charg'd again with courage firm, but soon again gave ground.
The war-whoop then redoubled, as did the foes around;
They killed Major Ferguson, which caused his men to cry,
"Our only safety is in flight, or fighting here to die."
"Stand to your guns," says valiant Ford, "let's die upon them there,
Before we let the sav'ges know we ever harbored fear."
Our cannon balls exhausted, and artillery-men all slain,
Obliged were our musket-men the en'my to sustain.
Yet three hours more we fought them, and then were forc'd to yield,
When three hundred bloody warriors lay stretched upon the field.
Says Colonel Gibson to his men, "My boys, be not dismayed,
I'm sure that true Virginians were never yet afraid.
"Ten thousand deaths I'd rather die, than they should gain the field;"
With that he got a fatal shot, which caused him to yield.
Says Major Clark, "My heroes, I can here no longer stand,
We'll strive to form in order, and retreat the best we can."