Franklin County: John Hamer to Eveline Hamer, August
23, 1863
Summary:
Hamer writes a poem for his sister, Eveline, about the end of slavery.
Eveline Hamer
Shade Township Somerset County Pennsyl. John Hamer
Death of Slavery
We're contending for the right
God and Freedom is our might
We'll bear
our flag through storm and night
Triumphantly.
See where smoke and dust arise
Sulphurious
clouds obscure the skies,
Beneath, is where the freeman dies
For
Freedom's cause.
Hear our thundering cannons, loud,
Wreaking vengeance on the proud
God
of Slavery, that doth crowd
Our land with graves.
See the god of Slavery dies
Hear his groans and woeful cries
In vain
[deleted: let]will all his saints arise
To soothe his pain.
Down to destruction fast he goes
The unlocked wheels of Time, he knows
Shall doom him to eternal woes
To all that hell contains.
He is dead - he wears a deep black shroud
Ye saints of Zion shout aloud
And sing to Him that laid the proud
Oppressor in his grave.
Behold the star of Freedom rise
Her North and South. And See the skies
Arrayed in splendor as he dies
And sinks in deep despair.
Romney Hampshire Co. Va. Aug. the 23rd 1863.
For Eveline Hamer
As you request of me long ago to write a piece of Poetry for you, I thought to try it this afternoon. It is in its first [unclear: stress] and by arraging and re- arranging it might be made better. It is now your turn.
J. Hamer
Eveline Hamer
