POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2659, 14 October 1882, Page 3

POETRY.

“ BAT BILLY."

a veteran's btoby.

You may talk of hones of renown, What Goldsmith Maid has done, How Baxter out the seconds down, And Felloworaffc’s great run, Would you hear about a horse that once A mighty battle had won ?

’lwaa the last fight at Frederiokbnrg— Perhaps the day you reck. Our boys, the Twenty-Second Maine, Kept Barley's men in check. Just where Wade Hampton boomed away The fight went neok and neok.

All day we held the weaker wing, And held it with a will. Five several stubborn limes we charged The battery on the hill. And five times beaten back, reformed, And kept our column still.

At last from out the centre fight Spurred up a General’s Aid. “ That Battery must silenced be 1" 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 fellow came No wounded man but raised his head And strove to gasp his name, And those who could not speak nor stir, “ God blessed him " just the Game.

For ho was all the world to us, That h' ro gray and grim. Eight well he knew that fearful elope We’d climb with none but him, Though while hie white head led the way We’d charge hell'e portale in.

This time wo were not half way up, When, midst the storm of ehell, Our Colonel, with his eword upraised. Beneath our bey’nets fall. And, ao we bore him back, the foe Set up a joyous yell..

Our hearts wont with him. Back wo swept, And when the bugle said “ Up, Charge! ” again, no man woe there But hung his dogged head. “ Wo’ve no one left to load us now,” The sullen soldiers said.

Just then before the laggard line The Colonel’s horse we spied, Bay Billy with his trappings on, His nostrils swelling wide, As though still on his gallant back The master eat astride.

Right 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 t”

Like statues we stood rooted there And gszed a little space. Above that floating mane we missed That dear familiar face 5 But wo saw Bay Billy’s eye of fire. And it gave us heart of grace.

Ho bugle call could rouse us all As that brave sight had done, Down all the battered line we felt A lightning impulse 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 lerder 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 furrowed turf Tho troops stood on parade, And bravely mid tho ranks were closed Tho gaps the fight had made.

Not half the Twenty-Second's men Were left that field upon, And Corporal Dick, who yesternoon Stood six brave fellows on, Now touched my elbow in the ranks, For all between wore 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 When no prompt voice replies

And as in f alt’ring tone and slow The last few names were said, Across the field some missing horse Toiled up with weary tread. It caught the Sergeant’s eye, and quick, Bay Billy’s name he read.

sTes there the old bay hero stood, All safe from battle’s harms, And ere an order could be beard, Or the bugle’u quick alarms, Down all the front, from end to end, The troops presented arms !

Not all the shoulder straps on earth Could still our mighty cheer, And ever from that famous day, When rang the roll-call clear, Bay Billy'* name was read, and then The whole line answered, “ Here 1” Fbark H. Qabba’stay.