Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 4.
Frank Moore, Ed.

59. “I have been to Washington.”

by Ruth N. Cromwell.

I have been to Washington, to see the famous sights,
     The President, the Cabinet, the people and the fun;
The forts, and the batteries, the hills and the heights,
     The General, and the colonels, and the soldiers every one;
The roll, and the reveille, the flourish and the trill;
     I have been to Washington, to see the famous drill.
“Attention, company” --“Turn out your toes.”
     Roll goes the drum, and loud the bugle blows.
Flash go the bayonets, merrily and swift.
     “Ram down cartridge” --“Prime” --“Charge.”
“Fire” --says the Captain, feeling very large.
     Up speaks the Colonel, tone rather harsh:
“Right flank,” “left flank” --“forward march.”
     Oh I the wisdom, and the strategy, the science, and the skill!
I have been to Washington, to see the famous drill.

I have been to Washington, to see the splendid show--
     Red coats, green coats, blue coats, and grey;
Cockade and epaulettes — Zouaves all the go;
     Dragoons and Chasseurs, rollicking and gay;
Volunteers and regulars, the loyal and the true,
     I have been to Washington, to see the grand review:
“Attention, company!” columns in repose--
     Roll goes the drum, and loud the bugle blows.
“Present sabres!” --flashing down the line--
     Thousands of sabres, looking very fine.
“Flanks file forward!” --“Platoons wheel!”
     Merrily go the horses, dancing in a reel--
Cavalry handsome, cutting quite a dash,
     Flying Artillery, riding very rash.
Oh! the piping and the fifing, for the red, white and blue!
     I have been to Washington, to see the grand review.

I have been to Washington, to see the honored pile
     Where freedom sang her anthem, eighty years ago;
Born at her altar, reared in her aisle,
     We will strike for her banner, though a world be the foe;
Where the strength and the sinew of a brave land pour,
     I have been to Washington, to see the pomp of war.
Above the clamor of her friends, and the malice of her foes.
     Roll goes the drum, and loud the bugle blows--
Ambassadors with badges, feeling very grand,
     Senators and warriors marching hand and hand;
Levees at the White House--women, very militaire;
     Fogy on the side-walk, looking very glum
At the rattle of the battle, and the beating of the drum.
     Hearts very jubilant — hearts very sore--
I have been to Washington, to see the pomp of war.