The boys of '61; or, Four years of fightingPersonal observation with the army and navy, from the first battle of Bull run to the fall of Richmond . the worst system of vassalage, that our country was still a nation, renewed and regenerated by its baptism of fire and blood, that truth and right were vindicated before the world; and to look down the coming years, and know that Freedom was secured to all beneath the folds of the flag that had withstood the intrigues of cabals and the shock of battle, and that Christianity and civilization, twin agents of human progress, had received an impetus th
The boys of '61; or, Four years of fightingPersonal observation with the army and navy, from the first battle of Bull run to the fall of Richmond . the worst system of vassalage, that our country was still a nation, renewed and regenerated by its baptism of fire and blood, that truth and right were vindicated before the world; and to look down the coming years, and know that Freedom was secured to all beneath the folds of the flag that had withstood the intrigues of cabals and the shock of battle, and that Christianity and civilization, twin agents of human progress, had received an impetus that would forever keep us in the van of nations. Looking at that flag, involuntarily I repeated the words of the song which I heard when the shadows of night fell upon the gory field of Antietam, sung by our wounded in one of the hospitals: — Our flag is there 1 our flag is there !We hail it with three loud huzzas !Our flag is there! our flag is there !Behold the glorious stripes and stars!Stout hearts have fought for that bright flag,Strong hands sustained it masthead high,And O, to see how proud it waves,Brings tears of joy to every eye 1. 462 THE BOYS OF 61. [Feb. CHAPTER XXIX. CHARLESTON. A city of ruins, — silent, mournful, in deepest was early morning when we reached the wharf, piled withmerchandise, not busy with commercial activity as in otherdays, but deserted, its timbers rotting, its planks decayed, itssheds tumbling in and reeling earthward. The slips, oncecrowded with steam and sailing vessels, were now vacant, ex-cept that an old sloop with a worm-eaten gunwale, tatteredsails, and rigging hanging in shreds, alone remained. A few fishermens dories only were rocking on the waves,tethered to the wharves by rotten ropes, where the great cottonArgosies in former years had shipped or landed their cargoes. Before the sailors had time to make fast the steamer, myselfand friend * were up the pier. The band was playing Hail,Columbia, and the strains floate
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