The Last Fleree Charge

The Last Fleree Charge.
271.3

‘Twas just before the last fierce charge,
Two soldiers drew their rein
For a parting word and a touch of hand:
They might never meet again.

One had blue eyes, soft curling hair.
Nineteen but a month ago,
With a smile on his lip, a flush on his cheek;
He was only a boy, you know.

The other was tail and dark and proud,
But his faith in the world was dim:
He only trusted alone to her
Who was all the world to him.

They had ridden together on many a raid,
And marched for many a mile,
And ever till now they had met the foe
With a caim and hopeful smile.

And as they looked in each other’s eyes,
Mid the dark and ghastly gloom.
The tall, dark man was the Brat to speak,
Saying. “Charley, my time has come.

“We’ll ride together up the hill,
But you’ll ride back alone:
Oh, promise a little trouble to take
For me when I am gone.

“You’ll find a fair face on my breast,
I’ll wear it into the fight.
With soft blue eyes and clustering hair,
And a smile like the morning’s light.

“Like the morning’s light was her love to me
For it gladdened a lonely life,
And littie I cared for the frowns of fate
When she promised to be my wife.

“Write to her, Charley, when I am gone,
Send back that fair, fond face:
Write to her tenderly how I died,
And where is my resting place.

Tell her my soul shall wait for hers
On the border land between
The heaven and earth until she comes:
‘Twill not be long. I ween.”

Tears dimmed the blue eyes of the boy.
His voice grew low with pain:
“I’ll do your bidding, comrade, auine,
If I ride back again.

“But if I’m left and you return,
You must do the same for me:
My mother at home must hear the news;
Oh, write to her tenderly.

“One after the other of those she loved
She’s buried, her husband and son,
I was the inst, when my country called
She kissed me and sent me ou.

“She’s prayed at home, like a waiting saint,
Her fond face white with care,
Her heart will break when I am gone;
I’ll meet her soon up there.’

Just then the order came to “charge!”
For a moment hand touched hand:
“Aye” answered “Aye.” then forward rushed
That brave, devoted band.

Onward they came to the creat of the hill,
Where the rebels, with shot and shell,

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