The Poetry Corner

Grierson's Raid

By Hanford Lennox Gordon

Mount to horse mount to horse; Forward, Battalion! Gallop the gallant force; Down with Rebellion! Over hill, creek and plain Clatter the fearless Dash away splash away Led by the Peerless. Carbines crack foemen fly Hither and thither; Under the death-fire They falter and wither. Burn the bridge tear the track Down with Rebellion! Cut the wires cut the wires! Forward, Battalion! Day and night night and day, Gallop the fearless Swimming the rivers' floods Led by the Peerless; Depots and powder-trains Blazing and thundering Masters and dusky slaves Gazing and wondering. Eight hundred miles they ride Dauntless Battalion Down through the Southern Land Mad with Rebellion. Into our lines they dash Brave Cavaliers Greeting our flag with A thunder of cheers.