ONLY ONE KILLED
by Julia L. Keyes
Only one killed -- in Company B;
'Twas a trifling loss -- one man!
A charge of the bold and dashing Lee --
While merry enough it was, to see
The enemy, as he ran.
Only one killed upon our side --
Once more to the field they turn.
Quietly now the horsemen ride --
And pause by the form of the one who died,
So bravely, as now we learn.
Their grief for the comrade loved and true
For a time was unconcealed;
They saw the bullet pierced him through;
That his pain was very brief -- ah! very few
Die thus, on the battle-field.
The news has gone to his home, afar --
Of the short and gallant fight,
Of the noble deeds of the young La Var
Whose life went out as a falling star
In the skirmish of that night.
"Only one killed! It was my son,"
The widowed mother cried.
She turned but to clasp the sinking one,
Who heard not the words of the victory won,
But of him who bravely died.
Ah! death to her were sweet relief,
The bride of a single year.
Oh! would she might, with her weight of grief,
Lie down in the dust, with the autumn leaf
Now trodden and brown and sere!
But no, she must bear through coming life
Her burden of silent woe.
The aged mother and youthful wife
Must live through a nation's bloody strife,
Sighing, and waiting to go,
Where the loved ones are meeting beyond the stars,
Are meeting no more to part.
They can smile once more through the crystal bars --
Where never more will the woe of wars
O'ershadow the loving heart.
Diary of
Albert
Underwood
June 10~ I’m getting very tired of being on a boat lately, going to Memphis. We are getting closer to land, and everyone is excited.
June 12~ We’re on land now and we set up camp at about 1 o’clock. We are camping on the Hormando Road in a nice grove about a mile from the main part of town. It’s very warm today.
June 16~ We are on guard today. We received orders last evening to march at 2 o’clock today. We’re supposed to hold our-selves in readiness to march at moments notice tomorrow.
June 17~ Today we fought. Canons were shooting everywhere. Gun fire is all you could hear for miles this morning. Buried the dead and moved on.
July 4~ Fired a salute of 34 guns at 5 o’clock this morning. The 44th Iowa had a grand illumination tonight.
July 7~ Quite warm tonight. A dance near here tonight. Several of the boys went over and took part in it. I would have gone, but I decided to stay and help watch camp. Even though I’m not married.
August 2~ A pleasant day. We have been busy today fixing up things for a march. We drew some horses and a lot of new ammunition for our new guns.
(Monday) August 22~ Left camp at about 8 o’clock. Clear this morning. Moved up to the Brigade and I then went ahead and got to Oxford and remained there 3 or 4 hours and a dispatch came that Forest had taken Memphis. The torch was applied to the town, and when I left in the evening it bid fair to burn the hole town. The expedition returned about 8 o’clock and camped on Haricane Creek.
August 23~ Left camp at about 8 o’clock. Passed Abbeyville and halted. The bridge across the river fell in, one mule team drowned. While we were waiting for the bridge to be repaired, a small forage party was sent out. The Rebs came and attacked our rear and captured 2 of our teams. The boys all made their escape. A force was sent after them, they killed and captured a few. We camped in position tonight.
August 27~ Remained all day in camp. Very pleasant weather. We went out about 2 miles southwest of the city and got 3 loads of corn. Pleasant came over this evening and took supper with me. There is another report that another raid has been made on Memphis and General Washburne captured. Received marching orders tonight.
December 15 1864~ The artillery fighting today was very heavy for several hours and the infantry firing was very heavy in the charge on their first works. The 2nd works was taken in a charge but the enemy got off and took their artillery with them. 33 pieces and 1500 were captured today.
December 16~ We advanced our lines early this morning and commenced shelling their works with our battery, the 3rd Indiana, and the 2nd Illinois. The enemy had their batteries behind good fortifications. We kept up such heavy fire on them that they could not use their guns at times, but lay close behind their works. We ceased firing while the infantry were charging and they opened a heavy galling fire till our men got close to their works, scaled the wall and took their artillery and then swung the right and soon captured a lot of prisoners. I stood on a high point and could see the whole thing. It was a grand scene indeed.
Bibliography ~ http://dcwi.com/~dave/underwood.html
By: Courtney