The Nashville Daily Union

NASHVILLE UNION.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1864.

For the Nashville Union.

On the Death of Captain Courtland Van Rensselaer.

When far from home and friends, a wanderer dies,
And strangers stand around with weeping eyes,
Or anxious, watch each fainting pulse beat low,
As if the last, would wring their hearts with wo,
And every art employ to soothe the pain,
And strive the parting spirit to retain,
With all the tender, and assiduous care
That hearts endeared could only show, or share;
There must be some bright virtue to arrest
A sympathy so keen, within the breast,
Some potent charm, that fills and floods the heart,
And causes thus, affection's springs to start.
What panegyric could express more praise
Than one mute, philanthropic tear conveys?
What more precious message could be borne
To absent kindred who in anguish mourn,
Than, when 'tis told them, their lost one's bier
Received the homage of a stranger's tear?
Fair Hudson! now reflected in thy waves,
Are shafts of fame, to mark immortal graves,
And yet another, fit to be allied,
Will cast its shadow on thy honor'd tide.
A gallant soldier, from the living ranks
Is borne to peaceful slumber on thy banks.
Receive with pride, his ashes to thy shore!
No worthier urn e'er graced thy hills before!
With ancestral honors, 'twas hence he came
For many a mile, thy shore still bears his name,
Where his forefathers, pioneers of old,
Explored the wilds, and labored to unfold
Each natural beauty from primitive repose,
And made thy banks to "blossom as the rose."
Where now on every hill and dale between,
A cot or mansion rear'd with taste is seen,
And one continuous garden charms the eye,
And perfumes every wave, that ripples by,
'Twas there, amidst congenial beauties, first
The light of heav'n on his vision burst;
There, his first lessons of refinement taught,
Shap'd his young mind, and polished every thought;
Instill'd those graces, his maturer mind
Wrought into tasteful speech, or wit refin'd
Pleasing and captivating all, who heard
Each enamell'd sentence, or gentle word.
There, by thy Hellgate rocks, so solid and
Or 'neath thy massive cliffs, still firmer yet,
His youthful courage pattern'd in the germ,
From nature's wild example, to be firm.
And there, amid the scenes he loved so well,
On some fair knoll, or in some cozy dell
His fit his manly form should find its rest
And by his native sod, and flow'rs be dress'd
Endow'd by nature with a patriot's soul,
A soldier's zeal, with genius to control,
He sought the field, with unambitious aim,
To serve his country, and endear his name.
No danger daunted, no hardship seemed to sway,
Where duty pointed, his valor led the way.
Of genial temper, he was always mild
Firm of purpose, yet gentle as a child.
And whereso'er, in camp or field, or thrown
In social company, where bright eyes shone,
His bearing always, with an ease refin'd,
Display'd the graces of a cultured mind.
Esteem'd by all, let all revere his dust,
And keep his mem'ry as a sacred trust.-
Let all who worth admire, or merit praise,
Honor the spot where young
VAN
RENSSELAER lays.
N.