Wife of my bosom, the night-hours are lonely, And lonesome my heart, as I tread my dark round; But through all the dim watches I’ve thought of thee only, Wife of my bosom, with yearning profound. Now the day breaks, and the drums call to battle, While cannon’s deep thunder announces the morn; Full gladly I welcome the din and the rattle, ’Tis only for thee, wife, my heart is forlorn. Wife of my bosom, in God’s blessed keeping Our lives are still mingled, though parted are we; Above us He watcheth, with mercies unsleeping, Wife of my bosom, o’er thee and o’er me. I dare the wild conflict, where lives must be rended, But faith in my bosom now brightens with morn; By thy prayers in the past I have still been defended, And He whom we trust will not leave thee forlorn. 18 The Union Sacrifice. BY MRS. METTA. V. VICTOR. “Who will save the land we cherish? People! what have you to give, That, our country may not perish-- That our liberties may live?” Hark! the answer quickly thrilling:-- “_Half a million volunteers Rally round our standard, filling Freedom’s air with freemen’s cheers!_ “See our men go forth to battle, Take the soldier’s hardy fare, Face the fearful cannon’s rattle, Danger, death and drudgery bear. “What give you, heroic women, Loving mothers, tender wives?” Comes the answer superhuman: “_We give up our dear ones’ lives!_ “We remain at home to suffer-- Not to rest in idle ease. Men’s stern duties may be rougher, But they can not equal these;-- 19 “Nights of wretched, restless tossing, Guessing at the toils unshared-- Fields and streams at midnight crossing, Keeping lonely picket guard; “Days of terror and of weeping-- Of suspense that holds the breath, While the rosy infant, sleeping, Dreams not of its father’s death. “News that comes too sure and often To the mothers at their work,-- With no circumstance to soften All the woes that in it lurk-- “How the sons, at home surrounded By their fond and patient care, On the battle-field lie wounded, Dying, dead,--no mother there!” Rich men give up golden treasures-- Money, ships and merchandise; Brave men give up care and pleasures For the liberties they prize! But no holier gifts are proffered By the hero’s heart and hand, Than the sacrifices offered By the _women_ of the Land! 20 Blue Jackets, Fall in! AIR--_Bonny Dundee._