Charles L. Weatherford

~ Soldier Of The South ~
Part 3: EATING THE ELEPHANT

I saw the elephant today
in that battle by the river.
Smoke and shouts and cannon booming
enough to make a man quiver.

The Yankees, they had better guns,
but we had a righteous spirit.
We defended from aggression
with wild yells. They’ll know to fear it.

I was shooting as fast I could
but I don’t know if I hit them.
They ran away mighty quickly
with our cavalry behind ‘em.

I saw some bodies afterwards
and know some good men got wounded.
I’ve seen men dead for all reasons,
but this is senseless and stupid.

The Yankees treat us as their own:
property or runaway slaves.
Those who declaim our slavery,
see how it is that they behave.

We wish to part their company
and they demand we stay enthralled.
This is not righteous or legal!
It’s just murder. I am appalled.