The First of July, Eighteen Hundred Sixty-Three. 
A Battle ensued, darker than any other in American History. 

Man against man, Boy against boy, scores fell dead. 
Turning the vast battle field a bloody red. 

Both sides advancing, trampling bodies underfoot.   
Their faces all tarnished with gunpowder suit. 

Bullets whizing overhead. Some hitting their mark. 
Screams of pain and anguish came from the eerie dark.

There are two winners in this war as I see. 
The Grim Reaper and Abraham Brian,  who is still free. 

The Grim Reaper claimed over fifty thousand soles that day. 
Abraham Brian a black farm owner, lived  to farm another day. 

Inspired by Steve Johnson Strawberry, Arizona

The death of General Stonewall Jackson struck a terrible blow. 
The South was left in mourning for a man they respected so. 

His many victories brought much admiration. 
To him, it came easy, where to place the levitation. 

May 2, 1863, returning from an attack 
The friendly fire turned a bright star black

It left a deep hole in the hearts of those that loved him best. 
For the South, there seemed to be no needed rest. 

The war seemed to turn, the morale of the troops had gone. 
The shining light had been snuffed out just before dawn. 

General Robert E Lee stated with much might. 
Stonewall has lost his left arm, I have lost my right.

On December 13, 1862, hundreds of soldiers lay dying in a field. 
With mournful cries of pain, their fate was sealed. 

Confederate Sergeant Richard R Kirkland spanned the bridge of love.  
Bringing dyeing soles, water sent from above. 

Both sides withheld their treacherous gunfire. 
While the Angel of GOD carried out HIS desire. 

A heroic deed was performed that dark day. 
When just an ordinary man began to pray. 

July 21, 2022
Mark waldrop
Inspired by Bruce Wahlin

Sergeant Richard Rowland Kirkland
Born August 1843
Flat Rock, Kirkland County
South Carolina 

Died  September 20, 1863
Battle of Chickamauga
Near Fredericksburg, Virginia 

Resting Place
Old Quaker Cemetery
Camden. South Carolina  

His last words
“I’m done for…save yourselves and please tell my Pa I died right.”

Inspired by Bruce Wahlin K0GE Woodbury, Minnessota

The Vicksburg Battle is the most ferocious that’s ever been. 
It brought much tragedy to the town within.  

Oh, the devastation and the lives that were lost. 
Boys that perished cannot be measured by any cost. 

Both North and South saw Vicksburg holding the Key. 
The prize of that Key would bring Great Victory. 

The fighting lingered on. There seemed to be no end. 
The heartbreak of the city finally came to an end. 

Both sides rejoiced that the fighting had ended. 
Vicksburg and its people could finally start mending

Inspired by T. ”Biscuit” Sims N5HBB Clinton,  Mississippi

Were you there the night Charleston burned to the ground
That was the dark night she lost her Glorious Crown

 The air had a stench worse than that of hell
Many were left in the darkness of the night with no one to tell

The City had been raped, feeling the pains of war
Oh, I Pray there is the strength to be reborn by the shore

The people Prayed as they began to rebuild
As She rose from the ashes, their hearts were filled 

The city came back to life; her pulse grew strong
The Holy City is now singing a new 
Song. 

The sounds of Charleston by day and by night
They are two most distinctive genres alright. 
By day, sounds of horses on the cobblestone street. 
By Night,  faint mournful cries  from ships at sea. 

Day brings much hustle and bustle from every direction. 
Night brings the more subdued sounds with much affection. 

No matter what part of Charleston your in
The rhythmic sounds keep Echoing from within.

Charleston had many aromas on its bustling streets. 
The fragrance of the Magnolia Blossoms, oh so sweet. 

The stench of the slave ships off shore. 
The smell of blood and sweat that we abhor. 

All combined with the smells of the eateries downtown. 
Painted a true picture of Charleston embellishing her Crown.