Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A rare ca. 1864, 1st Michigan Engineer's and Mechanics poem broadside, boldly entitled: "SONGS FOR THE SOLDIERS!", most likely printed in field, measuring approximately 9" x 11 7/8". The broadside consists of four individual poems by the regiment's Pvt. Charles K. Brwewer. They are, first: "THE WOUNDED BOY, ON STONE RIVER," reading, in part: "Oh, mother dear, I'm wounded…I'm dying now!…it chills my blood stained brow. The ran defends in torrents…my companions dead and dying, are lying all around…I feel as if alone. The storm of battle over, the foe have left and gone…mother dear grieve not for me, my duty I have done; my country's call I honored, a soldier's risk did run…I bid the world adieu…and in my dying moments, I see…father, mother, sister dear…I well remember…kind and true…I diem, I die, adieu! Sleep on in peace, brave boy…thy warfare is over…thy blood calls for vengeance , its voice we will obey…". Second: "MY COUNTRY," reading, in part: "My country, oh, my country! when will thy war be o'er? God grant peace may soon return…father, husband, son and brother, by carnage are laid low. Go gaze on the battle field…view the blood your folly's spilled, shed by a brother's hand…God in his great wisdom, will lay the blame on you. and you, ye Southern traitors, ye gave the first offense…which did commence the war. The North was slow to anger…she will maintain he Union and make secession yield…you vile Northern copperhead, you worse than rebels are; you prolong this bloody war by making discord…you shout…tyranny to every act that hurts the rebel cause…my country, oh, how changed thou art…where brother strives with brother to take each other's life." Third: "SOLDIER'S HOME," reading, in part: "Midst war's bloody scenes we poor soldiers must roam, deprived of the pleasures and comforts of home…we pine for the friends we may never meet again. Home, home, the soldier's home is wherever his duty call him to roam…we long to be enjoying the pleasures of home. Many of our comrades sleep by the way-side…they received their furloughs and go to their long home…when peace returns to bless us, then we will go home." Fourth: "THE VETERANS' CALLl," reading, in part: "Ye loyal men, on you we call…come join the veterans in the field and soon we'll make Secession yield…we have served our country well-as our thin'd ranks too plainly tell…then come and help our cause along, with brave men make our army strong…a few more blows, our task is done, the traitors' race will then be run; the vile, rebellious, rebel crew, shall yield do our Red, White and Blue. Then let each tyrant on his torn, redress our wrongs-their folly own- or we will make their empires fall, Napoleon, Johnny Bull, and all." Born in 1820, Brewer was 41 when he enlisted to save the Union. He served for three years in the 1st Michigan Engineers as an artificer. He was present during Sherman's epic Atlanta campaign after which he patriotic poems where printed in the broadside. Folds, else VG to near fine.
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