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THE RETURN OF THE REGIMENT.
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THE RETURN OF THE REGIMENT.
HE bells boom out to the cloudy sky, The deep drums beat tumultuously,
And the martial music's crash and cry
Make all the city dumb;
There are tender eyes at every pane,
And, spite of wind and sifting rain,
From square and alley, street and lane,
The eager people come.
What do they come to seek and see?
Why do they gaze so earnestly?
What may the strange attraction be?
A handful of haggard men!
Men who have stepped in crimson stains
Warmly flowing from traitorous veins,—
Soldiers from red Antietam's plains,
Heroes of battles ten.
Why do they gaze so earnestly?
What may the strange attraction be?
A handful of haggard men!
Men who have stepped in crimson stains
Warmly flowing from traitorous veins,—
Soldiers from red Antietam's plains,
Heroes of battles ten.
Ah, it is only a little while
Since in unbroken rank and file,
Since in unbroken rank and file,
