THE VOLUNTEERS' ORPHANS' APPEAL
WRITTEN FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE UNION HOME
PITY us, friends, we poor Volunteers' children,
Whose homes are deserted where joy was of yore-
Where once beam'd the smile of peace and contentment
But now hangs the dark mantle of death and of war.
Our fathers, who left us to fight for the Union-
Our brothers, who rushed forth to battle for right—
Are still firm defending our loved Constitution,
Or on the field lay, their bones mold'ring and white.
We ask but your pity, kind friends of humanity—
We ask but a tear of sympathy shed
O'er the graves of our fathers, and beloved brothers,
A sigh for the heroes who sleep with the dead.
We children assembled beneath our loved banner,
Pray for the return of each absent brave,
And ask you to follow where valor hath fallen-
To kneel with us, weep with us, over each grave.