OUR generals sat in their tent one night, On the Mississippi's banks, Where Vicksburg sullenly still held out Against the assaulting ranks. They could hear the firing as they talked, Long after set of sun; And the blended noise of a thousand guns In the distance seemed as one. All at once Sherman started to his feet, And listened to the roar, His practiced ear had caught a sound, That he had not heard before. "They have mounted another gun on the walls; 'T is new," he said, "I know; I can tell the voice of a gun, as a man Can tell the voice of his foe! "What! not a soul of you hears but me? No matter, I am right; Bring me my horse! I must silence this Before I sleep to-night!" He was gone; and they listened to the ring Of hoofs on the distant track; Then talked and wondered for a while, -- In an hour he was back. "Well, General! what is the news?" they cried, As he entered flush and worn; "We have picked their gunners off, and the gun Will be dislodged at morn!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OLNEY HYMNS: 9. THE CONTRITE HEART by WILLIAM COWPER GULF-WEED by CORNELIUS GEORGE FENNER TO A CHAMELEON by MARIANNE MOORE POOR [OR, COCK] ROBIN by MOTHER GOOSE AEOLIAN HARP (2) by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 80, 81. GHAFOOR, MUNTAKIM by EDWIN ARNOLD |