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The following poem was found in the pocket Bible of Thomas B. Ellis, of Company D., 12th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Harris Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, by John J. Ellis, his brother, alter he was killed at Ream’s Station, near Petersburg, Va., August 21, 1804. Four brothers of Mr.Ellis were in the civil war. Two Jwere killed in battle in Virginia, and two died of disease in the Mississippi de partment. John J. Ellis, who is a native of Copiah county, and who now represents that county in the Lower House of the Legislature, was the onlyone of the five brothers to survive the struggle.The poem draws a pathetic picture of a mother’s anxiety and suffering during the trying period of the civil war when “death spoke in every booming shot that knell’d upon the ear.”O'er the list of the killed and wounded,A mother's eye liends low;And scarce can she hold the paper.Her hand Is trembling so:Ah! Woman's heart must suffer, and she needs must weep alone,When the birds of prey are hov'ring, and the birds of peace have 11 own.Killed!—One name and then another—The long, dark list of blood—The young, the brave upon that tield,Poured out life’s purple flood ;Alas! Kind hearts are wait lug lu some far distant homeFor husband, son, or brother, who never more can come.And, oh! so many wounded!The type is closely set:And here with grave forebodings.The mother ga/.eth yet.And is it dead and mangled—the form the head she blessed?As cherished now as when he lay an infant on her breast.Lean on thy God. poor mother,Thy God will comfort thee,And we will talk of Heaven,Where wars shall never be;For there the cruel come not. and thy sorrows all are blest;The wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.In that list of killed and wounded,Her own toy's name Is not:And now the mother smileth—Mine is a favored lot.— lint what Is this that sudden pales the aged, furrowed cheek?Missing! One name, and that name it needs not we should speak.And now lay by the paper,She wants the list no more;In agony of spirit,She scans the bright years o'er When he knew aught of tilal and she no cause to weep.And longs to know in her bitter woe that the missing is ••asleep.—Asleep in Jesus, and at rest From war's cold, Iron hand—Safe In th»» C.olde* Glory Of a better. |eaceful land—Not ••Missing! God! how it echoes'thro* lone chambers of her heart,Likemem’riesof their hallowed joys, that never will depart.»*»*•*** • •Ah! God can find the missing In tills wide world of ours.And gladden thee, poor mother,With many happy hours;Meanwhile, oh! think of Heaven, where loved ones all shall meet,The Wounded, Killed, and Missing around the Savior’s feet.Anna.Mt. Prospect, Va., July, 1864.
Newspaper Details
Brookhaven Leader
Brookhaven, Mississippi, US
Wed, Dec 10, 1902
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Shelly L.
VA, USA 08 Mar 2020
Other Publications Near Brookhaven, Mississippi
Brookhaven Semi Weekly Leader
Brookhaven Leader
Brookhaven Ledger
