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The Death of John Wilkes Boothe
| Open Poetry #4 |
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The Death of John Wilkes Boothe |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
As nation mourned and hearse was pulled through streets of Washington, "Boots and saddles" came the call, no rest til task was done, As Hounds of Hell they rode as one, on cold and rainy day, John Wilkes Boothe, Mephistopheles, had gotten clean away. Lieutenant Dougherty led his men of Sixteenth Cavalry, H Company from New York State, to capture infamy, To the banks of Anacostia, aboard the John S. Ide, Steamed down the wide Potomac, where would the traitor hide? At Acquia Creek they rode ashore, as all out search began, In every barn and farmhouse, where had the killer ran? On the road to Rappahannock, they met a ferryman, He told them of a carriage, that crossed with noonday sun. Captain Jett atop the coach, a man was hid within, To Bowling Green pursuers rode, to purge the world of sin, The Captain of Confederacy, was hid in town's hotel, With forcible persuasion, Boothe's whereabouts did tell. To Garret's farm Troop H did ride, a knock upon the door, Garret, he feigned ignorance, and at the soldiers swore, A picket rope in haste retrieved, a threat that soon would die, The man you seek is in the barn, all heard the farmer cry. Come out now with hands held high, Dougherty did shout, Boothe replied he'd not surrender, instead he'd shoot it out, The soldiers set the barn on fire, the devil in hell's flame, A soldier crept up to the barn, with rifle he took aim. A single shot into the neck, just as the president, Before the rays of morning's sun, Boothe to hell was sent, The body in a wagon bare, was to the Capital returned, Left behind at Garret's farm, the ashes of barn burned. Twenty-six men of Company H, returned to Washington, Tired and weary from their toils, the job that they had done, Til the day each man did die, remembered for this truth, In a barn on Garret's farm, had captured John Wilkes Boothe. [This message has been edited by Mike (edited 11-17-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Mike, this is fabulous. If history lessons had been this interesting in school I would have learned more! Thanks for this wonderful slice of the past! ------------------ Denise |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Wonderfully written tale mike. I echo Denise's reply about the history lesson! |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Thank you both for your comments. I am just one of these strange people who enjoy history. Sheesh... who in their right mind would be a history major in college solely because they liked history knowing they never intended to use it other than for personal enjoyment. |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
Mike, I passed 3 semesters of history which was not my major. But I sure could have enjoyed it a lot more if it had been presented as nicely as this!  ------------------ Yesterday is history, tomorrow just a mystery. And if today is good to me how could I ask for more? |
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