Classic Poem

SOME COMMENT FROM THE BOYS IN BLUE

  “His policy,” do you say?
 By heaven, who says so lies in his throat!
'T was our policy, boys, from our muster-day,
Through skirmish and bivouac, march and fray—
  “His policy,” do you say?

  “His policy”—do but note!
 'T is a pitiful falsehood for you to say.
Did he bid all the stars in our banner float?
Was it he shouted Union from every throat
  Through the long war's weary day?

  “His policy”—how does it hap?
 Has the old word “Union” no meaning, pray?
What meant the “U. S.” upon every cap—
Upon every button, belt, and strap?
  'T was our policy all the way.

  “His policy?” That may do
 For a silly and empty political brag;
But 't was held by every Boy in Blue
When he lifted his right hand, stanch and true,
  And swore to sustain the flag.

  We are with him none the less—
 He works for the same great end we sought;
We feel for the South in its deep distress,
And to get the old Union restored we press—
  'T was for this we enlisted and fought.

  Be it his or whose it may,
 'T is the policy, boys, that we avow;
There were noble hearts in the ranks of gray
As they proved on many a bloody day,
  And we would not oppress them now.

  “Let us all forgive and forget:”
 It was thus Grant spoke to General Lee,
When, with wounds still raw and bayonets wet.
The chiefs of the two great armies met
  Beneath the old apple-tree.