THEY are camped on Chickamauga! Once again the white tents gleam On that field where vanished heroes Sleep the sleep that knows no dream. There are shadows all about them Of the ghostly troops to-day, But they light the common campfire — Those who wore the blue and gray. Where the pines of Georgia tower, Where the mountains kiss the sky, On their arms the nation's warriors Wait to hear the battle-cry. Wait together, friends and brothers, And the heroes 'neath their feet Sleep the long and dreamless slumber Where the flowers are blooming sweet. Sentries, pause, yon shadow challenge! Rock-ribbed Thomas goes that way — He who fought the foes unyielding In that awful battle fray. Yonder pass the shades of heroes, And they follow where Bragg leads Through the meadows and the river, But no ghost the sentry heeds. Field of fame, a patriot army Treads thy sacred sod to-day! And they'll fight a common foeman, Those who wore the blue and gray, And they'll fight for common country, And they'll charge to victory 'Neath the folds of one brave banner — Starry banner of the free! They are camped on Chickamauga, Where the green tents of the dead Turn the soil into a glory Where a nation's heart once bled; But they're clasping hands together On this storied field of strife — Brothers brave who meet to battle In the freedom-war of life! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A DECANTER OF MADEIRA, AGED 86, TO GEORGE BANCROFT, AGED 86 by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL UNDER THE SHADE OF THE TREES [MAY 10, 1863] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON MUSIC IN CAMP by JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON LOVE'S CHANGE by ANNE REEVE ALDRICH TANGLED TRAILS by GLADYS NAOMI ARNOLD QUATORZAINS: 4. TO SOUND by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 32 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |