"They Follow the Flag" by Frances V. Hubbard (1911)

They Follow the Flag.

BY FRANCES V. HUBBARD.

They followed the flag, soldiers gallant and gay,

Eyes sparkling with hope and with cheer,

        From home and from kindred they marched far away,

        Leaving all to the human heart dear.

They followed the flag, though oft weary and worn,

That banner, the red, white and blue,

        Though sullied by battle smoke—torn to a shred—

        Still rallied these soldiers so true.

They followed the flag, some to pain, some to death,

But the remnant closed up and marched on,

        And they followed Old Glory till treason was quenched

        And the merited victory won.

They follow the flag, halting, aged and worn,

When that banner is leading the way

        Every eye gleams with pride, all forgotten the years,

        They are soldiers still, gallant and gay.

They follow the flag. When 'neath grass-covered tents

All the Grand Army men rest at last,

        Place above them the banner, the flag that they love,

        Let them sleep till the morn's bugle-blast.

Troy Times. May 30, 1911: 7 col 3.