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Poem
September 30, 1864
Union County Star And Lewisburg Chronicle
Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A satirical Civil War poem criticizing General McClellan for abandoning his military role to lead a peace movement, urging him to discard his soldier's attire and accusing him of betraying the Union cause.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
To Genl. the Ex-Soldier Democrat.
Take off your Sword, McClellan.
Take off your idle sword, sir!
Lay by that coat of blue!
Strip quickly from your shoulders
Those starry badges too!
You are no more a soldier,
You've "changed your base" again,
On Peace's platform standing,
The garb of War is vain.
When first we met, McClellan,
You led a HERO BAND;
A grand, devoted army,
Was then at your command.
The finest on the planet,
It longed to meet the foe;
It needed but a leader,
To strike the crushing blow.
And then, how full, McClellan,
You filled a nation's eyes!
Where'er your name was mentioned,
We felt our courage rise.
We thought you were a savior
Sent to our country's aid,
To bring us back the Union,
The same our fathers made.
Where are they now, McClellan,
Those heroes whom you led?
A cry of anguish answers,
"Alas, they're with the dead."
They sleep in peace eternal,
Those true, devoted braves;
The only peace you conquered—
The peace of soldiers' graves!
Alack! Alack! McClellan,
Our faith was hard to shake;
We trusted long your promise,
That you would Richmond take;
Till back you staggered, leading,
Your back towards the foe,
With columns torn and bleeding
And banners drooping low.
But now you hold, McClellan,
Another high command,
Again a force is mustered,
And you lead on the band.
And is that force enlisted
To fight the Union's wars,
And plant on Richmond's hill tops
The flag of Stripes and Stars?
Alas! Alas! McClellan,
A craven crew you lead,
"Peace" glistens on their banners,
While yet our soldiers bleed.
They basely cry "surrender,"
Ere the Union is restored;
They kiss the feet of traitors,
And throw away the sword.
Have you no shame, McClellan?
Have you forgot the past!
Have you so long led freemen,
To herd with slaves at last?
Alas! Alas! McClellan,
It seemeth so to be,
When you raise the flag of traitors
And drop that of the free.
Take off your sword, McClellan,
Take off your coat of blue,
Strip quickly from your shoulders
Those starry badges too,
You are no more a soldier,
You've "changed your base" again,
On Peace's platform standing,
The garb of war is vain.
Take off your Sword, McClellan.
Take off your idle sword, sir!
Lay by that coat of blue!
Strip quickly from your shoulders
Those starry badges too!
You are no more a soldier,
You've "changed your base" again,
On Peace's platform standing,
The garb of War is vain.
When first we met, McClellan,
You led a HERO BAND;
A grand, devoted army,
Was then at your command.
The finest on the planet,
It longed to meet the foe;
It needed but a leader,
To strike the crushing blow.
And then, how full, McClellan,
You filled a nation's eyes!
Where'er your name was mentioned,
We felt our courage rise.
We thought you were a savior
Sent to our country's aid,
To bring us back the Union,
The same our fathers made.
Where are they now, McClellan,
Those heroes whom you led?
A cry of anguish answers,
"Alas, they're with the dead."
They sleep in peace eternal,
Those true, devoted braves;
The only peace you conquered—
The peace of soldiers' graves!
Alack! Alack! McClellan,
Our faith was hard to shake;
We trusted long your promise,
That you would Richmond take;
Till back you staggered, leading,
Your back towards the foe,
With columns torn and bleeding
And banners drooping low.
But now you hold, McClellan,
Another high command,
Again a force is mustered,
And you lead on the band.
And is that force enlisted
To fight the Union's wars,
And plant on Richmond's hill tops
The flag of Stripes and Stars?
Alas! Alas! McClellan,
A craven crew you lead,
"Peace" glistens on their banners,
While yet our soldiers bleed.
They basely cry "surrender,"
Ere the Union is restored;
They kiss the feet of traitors,
And throw away the sword.
Have you no shame, McClellan?
Have you forgot the past!
Have you so long led freemen,
To herd with slaves at last?
Alas! Alas! McClellan,
It seemeth so to be,
When you raise the flag of traitors
And drop that of the free.
Take off your sword, McClellan,
Take off your coat of blue,
Strip quickly from your shoulders
Those starry badges too,
You are no more a soldier,
You've "changed your base" again,
On Peace's platform standing,
The garb of war is vain.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Political
War Military
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Mcclellan
Civil War
Peace Platform
Union
Soldiers
Satire
Richmond
Traitors
Poem Details
Title
Take Off Your Sword, Mcclellan.
Subject
Criticism Of Mcclellan's Peace Platform
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Take Off Your Sword, Mcclellan.
Take Off Your Idle Sword, Sir!
Lay By That Coat Of Blue!
Strip Quickly From Your Shoulders
Those Starry Badges Too!
Where Are They Now, Mcclellan,
Those Heroes Whom You Led?
A Cry Of Anguish Answers,
"Alas, They're With The Dead."
Alas! Alas! Mcclellan,
A Craven Crew You Lead,
"Peace" Glistens On Their Banners,
While Yet Our Soldiers Bleed.