Wears pelican on his belt buckle?
Defending hearth and home still a great motivator.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 14 1862:
Impromptu.
by a soldier.
Through this deserted cottage now
No gentle footsteps fall;
These silent walls, they echo not
with childhood’s merry call!
Where are the hearts so light and gay–
The loved ones fond and true–
Who sought to fill each passing day
with brighter hopes anew?
Fled, as wintering exiles, now,
Who sad and silent roam–
Fled from all that life holds dear–
A peaceful; happy home!
Oh, God! is this their gloomy fate?
Shall this, their native land,
Be given to a plundering horde?–
A vile and ruthless band?
No! Thou art a god of justice still !
We trust alone in Thee,
To save our brave and Valliant sons,
Now struggling to be free!
We feel that o’er our fallen foes.
Our banners yet shall wave–
That Peace and Plenty soon shall crown
The noble, true, and brave!
The wandering exiles shall return
To hail their homes with joy,
Nor fear again the ruthless horde
Who seek but to destroy!
Yes, fires shall brightly burn again
On this deserted hearth–
These silent walls echo the strain
Of childhood’s welcome mirth.
“Pelican.”
Second Reg’t La. Vols., June 8th, 1862.
LOC: Although previously identified as Private Edwin Francis Jennison, Georgia Regiment, C.S.A., recent research has established that this photograph is of Private Edwin Francis Jemison, 2nd Louisiana Regiment. He served in the Peninsula campaign under General J.B. Magruder and was killed in the battle of Malvern Hill, July, 1862.
