lelliott19
Brigadier General
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WHAT DID THE PRIVATES DO?
Our papers teem with daring deeds,
And books are filled with fame,
Brass bands will play and cannons roar
In honor of the name
Of men who held commissions and
Were honest, brave and true;
But still the question comes to me
What did the privates do?
Who were the boys to guard the camp
When foes were hovering 'round
Who dug the graves of comrades dear
And laid them in the ground,
Who sent the dying message home
To those so kind and true,
If officers did all of this
What did the privates do?
Who were the boys to fill the place
Of comrades slain in strife,
Who were the men to risk their own
To save a comrade's life.
Who was it lived on salted pork
And bread too hard to chew,
If officers did this alone
What did the privates do?
Who laid in pits on rainy nights
All eager for the fray,
Who marched beneath the scorching sun
Through many a toilsome day
Who paid the sutlers double price
And scanty rations drew,
If officers get all the praise
Then what did privates do?
All honor to the brave old boys
Who rallied at the call
Without regard to name or rank
We honor one and all.
They're passing over one by one
And soon they'll all be gone
To where the books will surely show
Just what the privates done.
~ D. E. Buell, Co. B, 27th N.Y.S.V.
Source: Washburn, George H., A Complete Military History and Record of the 108th Regiment N.Y. Vols., from 1862 to 1894: Together with Roster, Letters, Rebel Oaths of Allegiance, Rebel Passes, Reminiscences, Life Sketches, Photographs, Etc., Etc., Press of E.R. Andrews, 1894 - New York (State), page 169.