Here lies in sultry grave
The last full breath of freedom’s brave.
Her last great breath that heaven gave,
Was taken fro’ at Chancellorsville.
The scores of soldiers lives well spent,
Went to her bosom which hell hath rent.
Their final hour, their cries forth sent,
Was gallant spilled at Chancellorsville.
The finest Christian which South had seen,
The soldier general with eyes of green,
His last full measure ne’r more be seen,
Was laid down low at Chancellorsville.
At Chancellorsville the women wept,
For gallant life, scorched and rent.
The woods aflame and cannon swept,
Men died by score at Chancellorsville.
Once peaceful meadows and bird song sweet,
And happy cattle made fat their meat,
A woman’s dream of love complete,
The happy land of Chancellorsville.
With suitors bold and noble cause,
They once did dance all care gave pause.
All right ne’r wrong within God’s laws,
All life was joy at Chancellorsville.
Of bloody war t’would dare not think,
Such bliss and peace could death not drink.
But soon charred earth their home would sink,
Young women there of Chancellorsville.
And rising from their tortured crypt,
Behold! there life in torment rip’ed.
Where once was beauty now death comes quick,
To man and beast at Chancellorsville.
Flames billow, ash thick.
All was a’fire, hell for its wick.
Scores of victims to greed and pride
Were counted same on heaven’s tide.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Stone markers crumble, bloodied swords rust.
Honor and courage, strength b’deigned,
Memories hardened and truth maligned.
Wrought these fruits bitter, freedom’s high tide,
This field where once Lee gazed with pride.
Three thousand men laid in their tomb,
Countless untold ripped from the womb.
For knights no more of olden times,
Ride to their bower, those femme sublime.
Once happy hearth, a crossroads still,
Is now a pit and graveyard shrill.
And though t’was freedom’s highest tide,
Is where her chance at living died.
Where honored men and women cried,
Is still there now, at Chancellorsville.
In Defense of Man 