Stonewall Jackson's Way -- Poem

Happy Birthday General "Stonewall" Jackson.
(January 21, 1824 - May 10, 1863)

 

Stonewall Jackson's Way

By John W. Palmer

Come, stack arms, men! Pile on the rails,

Stir the camp-fire bright; 

No matter if the canteen fails, 

We'll make a roaring night.

Here Shenandoah brawls along,

There burley Blue Ridge echoes strong,

To swell the brigade's rousing song

Of "Stonewall Jackson's Way."

We see him now-the old slouched hat,

Cocked o'er his eye askew;

The shrewd, dry smile; the speech so pat, 

So calm, so blunt, so true.

The "Blue-Light Elder" knows 'em well:

Says he, "That's Banks-he's fond of shell;

Lord save his soul! we'll give him-" well,

That's "Stonewall Jackson's Way."

Silence! ground arms! kneel all! caps off! 

Old Blue-Light's going to pray.

Strangle the fool that dares to scoff!

Attention! it's his way. 

Appealing from his native sod,

In forma pauperis to God- 

"Lay bare thine arm, stretch forth thy rod!

Amen! That's "Stonewall's Way."

He's in the saddle now. Fall in!

Steady, the whole brigade!

Hill's at the ford, cut off-we'll win

His way out, ball and blade!

What matter if our shoes are worn?

What matter if our feet are torn?

"Quick-step! we're with him before dawn!"

That's "Stonewall Jackson's Way."

The sun's bright lances rout the mists

of morning, and, by George,

Here's Longstreet struggling in the lists,

Hemmed in an ugly gorge.

Pope and his Yankees, whipped before,

"Bay'nets and grape!" here Stonewall roar;

"Charge, Stuart! Pay off Ashby's score!"

Is "Stonewall Jackson's Way."

Ah, Maiden, wait and watch and yearn

For news of Stonewall's band!

Ah, Widow, read with eyes that burn

That ring upon thy hand. 

Ah, Wife, sew on, pray on, hope on!

Thy life shall not be all forlorn.

The foe had better ne'er been born

That gets in "Stonewall's Way." 

Written during the War Between the States in September of 1862 during the Sharpsburg Campaign by John Williamson Palmer (1825-1906) an American poet, physician and journalist. The original lyrics were alleged to have been found in the coat pocket of an anonymous Confederate sergeant killed at the First Battle of Winchester on May 25, 1862, and later rewritten by Palmer who later published the song.

Stonewall Jackson’s Way soon became a widely popular song around the campfires of the Army of Northern Virginia, and among the people of the Confederate States. 

This blog post is written in honor of the birthday and the memory of Lt. General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson CSA, Christian, soldier, father, husband, loyal Southerner and noble America.  

Deo vindice!