| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | August 30 | | “Our Left” | | By Francis O. Ticknor (1822–1874) |
| | | | The Confederates under Lee defeated the Federals under Pope at the second battle of Bull Run on August 30, 1862. |
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FROM dawn to dark they stood | |
| That long midsummer day, | |
| While fierce and fast | |
| The battle blast | |
| Swept rank on rank away. | 5 |
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| From dawn to dark they fought, | |
| With legions torn and cleft; | |
| And still the wide | |
| Black battle tide | |
| Poured deadlier on “Our Left.” | 10 |
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| They closed each ghastly gap; | |
| They dressed each shattered rank; | |
| They knew—how well— | |
| That freedom fell | |
| With that exhausted flank. | 15 |
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| “Oh, for a thousand men | |
| Like these that melt away!” | |
| And down they came, | |
| With steel and flame, | |
| Four thousand to the fray! | 20 |
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| Right through the blackest cloud | |
| Their lightening path they cleft; | |
| And triumph came | |
| With deathless fame | |
| To our unconquered “Left.” | 25 |
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| Ye of your sons secure, | |
| Ye of your dead bereft— | |
| Honor the brave | |
| Who died to save | |
| Your all upon “Our Left.” | 30 | | |
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