"On Guard," Poem, 7 September 1861
To Mother, Camp Good Hope, Sept 7th 1861
 
                        On Guard.
 
At midnight, on my lonely beat,
            When shadow wraps the wood and lea,
A vision seems my view to greet
            Of one at home that prays for me.
 
No roses blow upon her cheek—
            Her form is not a lover's dream—
But on her face, so fair and meek,
            A host of holier beauties gleam.
 
For softly shines her silver hair,
            A patient smile is on her face,
And the mild lustrous light of prayer
            Around her sheds a moon-light like grace. /
 
She prays for one thats far away—
            The soldier in his holy fight—
And begs that Heaven in mercy may
            Protect her boy and bless the Right!
 
Till, though the leagues lie far between,
            This silent incense of her heart
Steals o'er my soul with breath serene,
            And we no longer are apart.
 
So guarding thus my lonely beat,
            By shadowy wood and haunted lea,
That vision seems my view to greet
            Of her at home who prays for me.
 
Composed by some one in Sam Black Regt.
Camp Cameron
14566
DATABASE CONTENT
(14566)DL1923.009203Other1861-09-07

Tags: Family, Home, Loneliness, Poetry, Religion

People - Records: 2

  • (5032) [writer] ~ Croft, Samuel W.
  • (5046) [recipient] ~ Croft, Barbara ~ Herr, Barbara

Places - Records: 1

  • (75) [origination] ~ Washington, DC

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SOURCES

"On Guard," Poem, 7 September 1861, DL1923.009, Nau Collection