Part Two of Tracy's Gift

THE BONNIE BLUE FLAG

(There) are a band of brothers and native to the
    soil,
Fighting for the property we gained by
    honest toil;
And when our rights were threatened, the
    cry rose, near and far:
Hurrah!  for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears
    a single star.

CHORUS.
Hurrah!  Hurrah!  for Southern rights; hurrah!
Hurrah!  for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears
    a single star!

(First?) gallant South Carolina so nobly made
    the stand:
Then came Alabama, who took her by the
    hand;
Next quickly Mississippi, Georgia and Florida,
All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag
    that bears a single star.

And here's to brave Virginia; the Old Dominion State;
That with the young Confed'racy at length
    has linked her fate;
Impelled by her example, now other States
    prepare
To hoist on high the bonnie Blue Flag that
    bears a single star.

Then here's to our Confed'racy, for strong
    we are and brave!
Like patriots of old, we'll fight our heritage
    to save,
And rather than submit to shame to die we
    would prefer;
So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that
    bears a single star.

Author Unknown
 

There were two words I couldn't read.......my best guesses as to what they
were are contained in parentheses.

From the childhood poetry collection of my grandmother, Minnie May ALTSMAN  Barrett (1891-1986), daughter of a Confederate "drummer boy" (James Madison ALTSMAN, 1846-1915) who served from Pemiscot Co., MO.
Tracey Baldwin

JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER

Just before the battle, mother,
    I am thinking most of you;
While upon the field we're watching,
    With the enemies in view,
Comrades brave around me lying,
    Filled with thoughts of home and God,
For well they know that on the morrow
    Some will sleep beneath the sod.

    Chorus---
Farewell, mother!  You may never
    Press me to your heart again;
But, oh!  You'll not forget me, mother,
    If I'm numbered with the slain.

Oh, I long to see you, mother,
    And the loving ones at home;
But I'll never leave our banner
    Till in honor I can come.
Tell the traitors around about you
    That their cruel words we know
In every battle kill our soldiers
    By the help they give the foe.

Hark!  I hear the bugle sounding,
    Tis the signal for the fight.
Now, may God protect us, mother,
    As he ever does the right;
Hear the battle cry of freedom;
    How it swells upon the air.
Oh, yes, we'll rally round the standard,
    Or we'll perish nobly there.

Author Unknown

From the childhood poetry collection of my grandmother, Minnie May ALTSMAN
Barrett (1891-1986), daughter of a Confederate "drummer boy" (James Madison
ALTSMAN, 1846-1915) who served from Pemiscot Co., MO.

Tracey Baldwin

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