31. Lookout. General Hooker to his men — Lookout Valley, November 24, 1863.
Left — Right! Left — Right!Left — Right!--March!
Steady men!--so!
For silent we go
To rescue our country from tyrant and foe.
Not a word my good men — not a sound,
Save the tramp of your tread,
Till you win the mountain's topmost head,
Where trenches and breastworks stand circling them round.
Not a shout! no hurrah!
Not a musket-shot;
Nor the scream of a shell,
As nearer you draw.
Not a trumpet's blast,
Not a bugle's note,
Till blind with the daze
Of your bayonet's blaze
Your loud hurrah shall sound their knell
Left!--Right!--Left!--Right!
Steady ye freemen!--so!
Now forward we go--
Rushing o'er abattis, breastwork, and wall,
Victorious! in triumph o'er Slavery's fall!
Shouting paeans. Io! to our glorious stars;
Hurrahing loud anthems to the Red, White, and Blue,
As they fly with their bright constellation of light,
Proclaiming to traitors and tyrants in flight,
That Victoria Apteryx1 dwells ever with you.
C. D. Meigs, M. D.