OUR generals sat in their tent one night, On the Mississippi's banks, Where Vicksburg sullenly still held out Against the assaulting ranks. They could hear the firing as they talked, Long after set of sun; And the blended noise of a thousand guns In the distance seemed as one. All at once Sherman started to his feet, And listened to the roar, His practiced ear had caught a sound, That he had not heard before. "They have mounted another gun on the walls; 'T is new," he said, "I know; I can tell the voice of a gun, as a man Can tell the voice of his foe! "What! not a soul of you hears but me? No matter, I am right; Bring me my horse! I must silence this Before I sleep to-night!" He was gone; and they listened to the ring Of hoofs on the distant track; Then talked and wondered for a while, -- In an hour he was back. "Well, General! what is the news?" they cried, As he entered flush and worn; "We have picked their gunners off, and the gun Will be dislodged at morn!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DESOLATE FIELD by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE SCHOLAR GIPSY by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE SONG OF HIAWATHA: HIAWATHA'S FASTING by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SING-SONG; A NURSERY RHYME BOOK: 123 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI MYRMIDONES: THE WOUNDED EAGLE by AESCHYLUS I SHALL HAVE PEACE AGAIN (WRITTEN AFTER READING 'RIDERS TO THE SEA' by FLORA LOUISE BAILEY |