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| Field name |
Value |
| Collection Reference Number
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GLC06559.038
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| From Archive Folder
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Collection of Sarah Perot Ogden
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| Title
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A soldier's poem
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| Date
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12 November 1861
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| Author
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Gordon, H.L. (fl. 1861)
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| Document Type
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Correspondence
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| Content Description
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Writes from Camp Stone. Includes a poem entitled, "Lines on the death of my friend Louis Mitchell of Co. I 1st Regt Minnesota Vols: who was killed in a skirmish on the Virginia side of the Potomac. Oct. 21st 1861." Gordon's friend, Lewis Mitchell, was the only man killed in this battle. Describes his friend's death in detail in the poem, and states that he died an honorable death for the love of his country.
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| Subjects
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Civil War Military History Union Forces Women's History Soldier's Letter Union Soldier's Letter Hospital Patriotism Battle Friendship Death Poetry
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| People
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Ogden, Sarah Perot (b. 1831) Gordon, H.L. (fl. 1861)
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| Place written
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Maryland
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| Theme
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The American Civil War; Health & Medicine
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| Sub-collection
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Papers and Images of the American Civil War
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| Additional Information
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Sarah Perot Ogden was a Quaker from Philadelphia who took part in variety of philanthropic works such as assisting the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Philadelphia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and President of the Philadelphia Home for Incurables. Both Ogden and her husband, Edward H. Ogden, were strong supporters of the Union cause. During the Civil War Ogden volunteered in a military hospital where she made daily visits and her husband served as a Union soldier.
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| Copyright
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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
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| Module
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Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
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| Civil War: Theater of War
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Main Eastern Theater
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| Transcript
|
Show/hide Lines on the death of my friend Louis Mitchell of Co. [I] 1st Regt Minnesota Vols: who was killed in a skirmish on the Virginia side of the Potomac Oct. 21st 1861. The events and circumstances are literally true. We've had a fight a Captain said Much rebel blood we've spilled We've put the saucy foe to flight Our loss - but a private killed! "Ah, yes.'" said a sergeant on the spot As he drew a long deep breath Poor fellow, he was badly shot Then bayoneted to death!" When again was hushed the martial [inserted: din] And back the foe had fled They brought the private's body in I went to see the dead. For I could not think the rebel foe ('Tho under curse and ban) [2] So vaunting of their chivalry Could kill a wounded man. A minie ball had broke his thigh A frightful crushing wound And then with savage bayonets They had pinned him to the ground One stab was through the abdomen Another through his head The last was through his pulseless heart Done after he was dead. His hair was matted with his gore His hands were clenched with might As though he still his musket bore So firmly in the fight He had grasped the foeman's bayonet His bosom to defend! They raised the coat cape from his face My God! it was my friend! Think what a shudder thrilled my heart 'Twas was but the day before [3] We laughed together merrily As we talked of day of yore "How happy we shall be," he said When the war is o'er and when The rebels all subdued or dead We all go home again! Ah little he dreamed, that soldier have (So near his journey's goal) That God had sent a messenger To claim his Christian soul! But he fell like a hero fighting And hearts with grief are filled And honor is his, though our Chief shall [inserted: say] "Only a private killed!" I knew him well, he was my friend He loved our Land and Laws And he fell a blessed martyr To the country's holy cause. Soldiers our time will come most like When our blood will thus be spilled And then of us our Chief shall say "Only a private killed." [4] But we fight our country's battles And our hopes are not forlorn Our death shall be a blessing To, "Millions yet unborn," To our children and their children And as each grave is filled We will but ask our Chief to say "Only a private killed!" H L. Gordon 1st. Regt Minn. Vols. Camp Stone Md: Nov: 12th 1861
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