Poem by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass. 21. Drum-Taps. 26. I Saw Old General at Bay

I saw old General at bay,
(Old as he was, his gray eyes yet shone out in battle like stars,)
His small force was now completely hemm'd in, in his works,
He call'd for volunteers to run the enemy's lines, a desperate emergency,
I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks, but two or three
      were selected,
I saw them receive their orders aside, they listen'd with care, the
      adjutant was very grave,
I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their lives.

1. Leaves of Grass. 32. From Noon to Starry Night. 1. Thou Orb Aloft Full-Dazzling
2. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 55. An Evening Lull
3. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. Fancies at Navesink. 1. The Pilot in the Mist
4. Leaves of Grass. 35. Good-Bye My Fancy. 2. Lingering Last Drops
5. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. Fancies at Navesink. 5. And Yet Not You Alone

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