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“Yankees.”

by James S. Watkins.
it is the “chivalry's” delight
To “Yankee” every loyal man,
And I, just here, but think them right
In calling “Yankees” all they can!
For who are “Yankees” but “the brave,”
The noble and the daring free?
Who'd rather moulder in the grave,
Than bow to tyrant's slavery!

Who but the “Yankees” dared to break
The bonds of George, the tyrant king?
And who but they, ne'er feared to stake
Upon their cause their every thing?
Who but the “Yankees” justly brought
Destruction on the British tea,
And then against the tyrant fought
The battles of our Liberty?

And who but they, with iron will--
A sabre and a trusty gun--
Earned laurels bright at Bunker Hill,
At Concord, and at Lexington?
Who but a “Yankee” dared to stand
Before Ticonderoga's wall,
And, in Jehovah's name command,
“This night thou shalt surrender all” ?

Call me a “Yankee!” --who but they,
O'er Delaware's proud but frosty tide,
With frozen feet, once pushed their way,
Led on by Washington, their pride!
Who but a “Yankee” forced to yield
Cornwallis' trembling Hessian horde,
And, as the victor of the field,
Received that British tyrant's sword?

Who but the “Yankees” fiery hot,
Rushed to the battle-field and plain,
And, led on by their beloved Scott,
Won laurels, too, at Lundy Lane?
Who but the “Yankees” forced to wave,
Not very many years ago,
Our banner, emblem of the brave,
High o'er the walls of Mexico?

Who but the “Yankees” dared to say
To rebels, who can never joke,
“Fort Hatteras,” now, this very day,
Surrender must, with Roanoke!
Brave Burnside, “Yankee” to the end,
Thrice honored shall thy name e'er be,
For on that Island's burning sand
Stacked arms three thousand chivalry!

Who but the “Yankees,” brave and free,
Upon the fierce contested field,
Forced the usurping “chivalry” ,
Their boasted battle-ground to yield?
Who but the “Yankees” did compel
The rebels from Pea Ridge to flee,
Leaving their wounded where they fell,
To hear the shouts of victory?

Who but the “Yankees” braved the tide
Of battle, when its heat begun,
And stormed the frozen, rocky side
Of that stronghold, Fort Donelson?
And who but “Yankees” captured there
Full “thirteen thousand” daring men,
While “seven thousand” still prepare
To stack their arms, at Number Ten?

Who but the “Yankees” faced the heat,
Where death's relentless missiles sped;
To Zollicoffer's band defeat,
And shoot the vile arch-traitor dead?
Call me a “Yankee!” --it was they
Who brought Antietam's battle on,
And forced the traitors, in a day,
To cross again the rubicon!

At Gettysburgh, 'twas “Yankees” too,
That memorable triumph gained;
And there the victor's trumpet blew,
While o'er them shell in torrents rained!
'Twas “Yankees” there, who forced to flee,
With over “thirty thousand” loss,
Their best and ablest General, Lee,
And back to Jeff's dominions cross!

'Twas “Yankees,” too, boldly attacked
The Mississippi's strongholds well,
Where two score thousand arms were stacked,
When Vicksburgh and Port Hudson fell!
'Twas “Yankees” there — all “Yankees” brave!
The rebels' great domain did sever,
And planted, on its wreck to wave,
Their flag, forever and forever!

Call me a “Yankee!” --who but they
Tore down the vile oppressor's rag!
And hoisted there — auspicious day!
O'er New-Orleans the freeman's flag!
And who but they, pray tell me ye
Who know, perhaps, the future more,
Will keep it spread, till unity
Shall bless our land as heretofore?

Then call me, friends, a “Yankee” --ay,
O'er earth and sea that name proclaim;
I cannot better live, to die,
Than by so proud, so brave a name!
I am a “Yankee” first and last!
No other name to mine affix--
Call me a “Yankee” loud and fast,
And place beside it ‘76!

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