POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2489, 29 March 1882, Page 3

POETRY.

"BAT BILLY." A Vetbban'b Story. You may talk of the horses cf renown, What Goldsmith Maid has done, How Dexter out the seoonds down, And Fellowcraft's great run. Would you hear about a horse that once A mighty battle won ? 'Twas the last fight at Frederioksburg— Perhaps the day you reck, Oar boys, the Twenty-second Maine, Kept Early's men in oheck. Jußt where Wade Hampton boomed away The fight went neck and neck. All day we held the weaker wing, And held it with a will; Five several stubborn times we charged The battery on the hill, And fire times beaten back, reformed, And kept our oolumn still. At last from out the oentre fight, Spurred up a General's Aid. " Taat battery munt silenced be ! " He cried, as past he sped. Our Colonel simply touched his cap, And then, with measured tread. To lead the crouching line once more The grand old follow came. No wounded man but raised his head, And strove to ge.sp his name, And those who could not speak nor stir, " God blessed him " just the same. For he was all the world to us, That hero grey trad grim, Right well he kDew that fearful slope We'd climb with none but him, Though while his white head led the way We'd charge hell's portals in. This time we were not half-way up,

When, 'midst the storm of shell, Oar Colonel, -with his sword upraised, Beneath our bay'nets fell; And, as we bore him back, tbe foe Set up a joyous yelL Our hearts went with him. Back we swept, And when the bugle said " Up, charge!" again, no man was there But hung his dogged head. " We're no one left to lead us now," The sullen soldier said. Just then, before the laggard line, The Colonel's horse we spied, Bay Billy with bis trappings on, His nostrils swelling wide, As though still on his gallant back The master sat astride. Bight royally he took the place That was of old his wont, And with a neigh, that seemed to say, Above the battle's brunt, " How can the Twenty -second charge If I am not in front?" Like statues we stood rooted there, And gazed a little space. Above that floating mane we missed

The dear familiar face, But we saw Bay Billy's eye of fire, And it gave us a heart of grace. No bugle call oould rouse us all As that bravo sight had done, Djwn oil the battered line we felt A lightning impulee run. Up ! up! the hill we followed Bill, And captured every gun. And when, upon the conquered height, Died out the battle's hum, Vainly 'mid living and the dead, We sought this leader dumb. It seemed as if a spectre steed To win that day had come. And then once more, with banners gay, Stretched out the long brigade. Trimly upon the i'urrowed turf The troops stood on parade. And bravely 'mid the rankj were closed The gaps the fight had made. Not half the Twenty-seoond's men

Were left that field upon, And Oorp'ral Dick, who yesternoon Btood six brave fellows on, Now touDhed my elbcw in the ranks, For all between were gone. Ah ! who forgets that dreary hour When, as with misty eyes, To call the old familiar roll The solemn Sergeant tries— One feels that thumping of the heart Whon no prompt voice replies. And a?, in falt'ring tone end slow, That last few names wore said, Across the field some mis&ing horse Toiled up with weary tread. It caught the Sergeant's eye, and quick, Bay Billy's name he read. Yes! there the old bay hero stood, All safe from bittle's harms, And ere an order could be hoard,

Or the bugle's quick alarms. Down all tbe front, from end to end, Ihe troops presented arms!

Not all the shoulder-straps on earth Could still our mighty oheer, And ever from that famous dsy When rang the roll-call clear, Billy's name was road, and then The whole line answered, " Here !"