THE COURAGE OF SERGEANT MILLER

The ball took me in the reer of my hip
as I turn’d to rally the companie, our Captain
on one knee coughing out blood, Lt. Hooker
tramped under a casson that run away.

So it come down to me.

Without command the boys were clos’d off,
too far forward to retreat and chew’d
by the volleys of Virginians before us.

I thought of mother and wisht I might live
just so long to be hit in the chest or face
and so not bring her shame, nor any folks at home.

My new boots nicely took up the blood
so leening upon my rifle I remained
to all apperance strong and able.
In this way I commanded the charge.

Splendidly bayonetes bristling, the boys
pitched in licketty cut and routed the rebs!
Then righting about on my command
enfiladed the ranks of sesech at our reer.

I keeled over then and was carried back
and borded upon this hospital ship
where I woke and found myself alive not dead.

But they whipped us bad in that terrible fight.
Chancelorsville. Damned if they didn’t whip us again.
                                Theres worst damned things than dieing.