DENSE clouds of dust on the Virginia roads— White puffs of gunfire on the trampled way— The clash of musketry, the crash of shells, A marching myriad of men in gray. Lee's ragged legions, glorious in defeat, A dwindling phalanx and a broken band, Retreating—yes—like lions in retreat, Seeking a field to stage a final stand! The April skies look down with rainbow beam On the last splendors of a vanished dream! Close on the track the thick-massed ranks of blue Advance resistless—narrowing circles close Upon the thinning regiments of gray, Surrounded, overwhelmed, by countless foes. The batteries keep hurling iron rain, Grant's horsemen ride, in great concentric swoops, Around the wearied warriors of the South, Wearied platoons—fast shrinking into groups! The smoke-wreaths die among the orchard's green Of Appomattox—and the final scene! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FABRIC OF LIFE by KAY RYAN TO MR. GAY, WHO WROTE HIM A CONGRATULATORY LETTER ON FINISHING HOUSE by ALEXANDER POPE TO WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE COTTAGER TO HER INFANT by DOROTHY WORDSWORTH FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE by EDWIN ARNOLD IN DEFENSE OF YOUTH by ROBBINS WOLCOTT BARSTOW MEETING AGAIN by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |