SHERMAN‘ S IN SAVANNAH

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

LIKE the tribes of Israel,

Fed on quails and manna,

Sherman and his glorious band

Journeyed through the rebel land,

Fed from Heaven's all-bounteous hand,

Marching on Savannah!

As the moving pillar shone,

Streamed the starry banner

All day long in rosy light,

Flaming splendor all the night,

Till it swooped in eagle flight

Down on doomed Savannah!

Glory be to God on high!

Shout the loud Hosanna!

Treason's wilderness is past,

Canaan's shore is won at last,

Peal a nation's trumpet-blast,—

Sherman‘ s in Savannah!

Soon shall Richmond's tough old hide

Find a tough old tanner!

Soon from every rebel wall

Shall the rag of treason fall,

Till our banner flaps o'er all

As it crowns Savannah!