Civil War Poem - Tree of Liberty

Military History and Travels

of Capt. Thomas Bible,
during the War Between the States
from original entry into service until discharge.

Tree of Liberty -- 1865

O! hail the bright, the fires light,
That to the east appear.
You're welcome here my heart's delight,
Another glorious year.
Although the last was spent at war,
Sweet fortune crown the just,
Columbia breathes the purest air,
And feels the sweetest rest.

Although a youth of sixteen years,
I saw these wars begin.
Sweet order banishing every feat,
I longed to be a man.
I feel a gleam of liberty,
A glowing in my breast.
My residence is Tennessee,
A native of the west.

Brave Washington, he led the way,
To victory and renown.
He planted a tree of liberty,
JEFF DAVIS can't pull down.
The roots, the spread from shore to shore,
The branches reach the skies,
The cause of freedom we adore,
We'll conquer boys, or die.

Long may the holy temple stand,
And all our sons live free.
Long life to the boys who guard our shores,
And fight for liberty.
Loud cannons thundering around our shores,
We'll travel land and sea,
And when we hear Yankey rifles roar
We'll shout for liberty.

There's Ohio and Kentucky,
Unite in heart and hand.
There's several to the north will fight,
Our Union to defend.
Success to General Sherman,
And all his gallant crew,
Likewise to our Anderson
Who to our cause proved true.

Brave Tennessee has sent a band,
To fight on Kentucky's plain,
With Rebel's blood, they've washed the land
History records the scenes.
Then with a shout, our eagle roared,
And fluttered as she flew.
Columbias' like a giant grown,
Her arms are ever true.

To Capt. Thomas Bible's CW Diary
Check out the members of Capt. Bible's
Company C, TN Volunteer Infantry

Diary reprinted with permission from Donahue Bible from his booklet
"THEIR EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY. . . EAST TENNESSEE UNIONISTS IN THE CIVIL WAR . . 1861-1865"

This page can be freely linked to but not
copied in any way without
express permission from Donahue Bible.