Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A TENT SCENE, by PHOEBE CARY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A TENT SCENE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Our generals sat in their tent one night
Last Line: "will be dislodged at morn!"
Subject(s): American Civil War; Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891); United States - History


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...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net