The Boys in Grey  lined up that day with the flag rippling in the front line.
Drum and bugle poised and at the ready.

Cadence carried through the rank slow at first and then the piper caught a tune  
to the slow march lockstep heads held high.

The Boys in blue mustered up and matched the grey line man for man. Faces looking forward frozen in the task. The task at hand was spectacle and specter bound and  all rolled up in  one.
To the quick march now. The orders came. hearts pounding   as the bugle sounding brought the
moment hither.

Massive Cannons wheeled about as men and boys commenced to shout a deafening roar and thunder.         The ground would shake and spirits quake the deafening roar when flesh and bone are left alone to buttress lines on grassy fields as grapeshot whistled loudly.

Rank and file. File and rank
ten thousand souls sent forward. The reaper's blade made steady work
in sun and shade.

Fathers, Brothers, sons and all to hasten to
Elysium's halls ,Thousands more would wail and fall
The dogs of war a rabid pack.

North and south would pay the price.Antietam.
Bull Run. Calvary with sabers  drawn rushed headlong to oblivion.

And lay there crying for Mother in waning times of failing life

"Please someone inform my wife that I am bound for Glory"

"Please tell my mother That I miss her and that I love her dearly"

Antietam. Fields of ignoble endings. And later new beginnings.

Four score.

Conceived in liberty

We  cannot dedicate. We cannot consecrate.

Of the people, by the people.

Shall not perish from the earth.