Blue and Gray

The bodies lay along the way

For nearly a miles ride

In the smoky air, the bugles blare

Could be heard from side to side

With his men stood he, an old Yankee

Full of his countries pride

Never admit defeat nor retreat

The dust was in his hair

All was a blur, the cannonballs whir

With explosions in the air

For my black brother and our Union to recover

By God! I’ll kill I swear

With courage rare, beyond compare

His uniform and loyalty true blue

But his hatred was bold and heart cold

When killing there was to do

“For prisoners we’ve no cell! Send them all to hell!”

Toward the enemy he flew

Now standing there in clothes threadbare

A slight boy thin and pale

And deliberately, unarmed stood he

The Confederate Flag to unveil

Controversy born, between flag and family torn

Now nothing could avail

No mercy now the old Yankee did scowl

His hand he would not stay

Saber in the air, the sword did tear

His little brothers life away

Through his heart driven the steel sending him to heaven

Where there’s love always

Reviews

[M. J. Smith]

Yes.. families tore themselves apart.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln.
And still... The attitudes persist. What did all that blood spill for?

[Soren]

Thank you so much for your review and comments

[M. J. Smith]

Not far from my home is a monument. It is all that remains of a farm where a black regiment was killed by Confederates. They killed the family, too. The farm was burned to the ground, beginning a scorched Earth policy. The area feels haunted now. By the way, your welcome.

[Soren]

My great grandfather fought under Stonewall Jackson while another family member fought for the north. During the war one brother was captured and put in a Union prisoner of war camp and after the war the brother that fought for the union could not come home. Thanks again

[Kesch (Finding Julia)]

Wow, quite intriguing really, nicely written and expressed

[Soren]

Thank you for reading and reviewing my poem