110 Years Ago

A simple gravestone sits on the ground at the Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio. I bears the inscription "Henry Holcomb Bennett, Dec. 5, 1863 - Apr. 30, 1924." He was an author, journalist and poet. Recently, I came across one of his works of poetry first published in 1900 and thought it is worth sharing.

The Flag Goes By

Hats off!

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,

A flash of color beneath the sky;

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

Blue and crimson and white it shines,

Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines,

Hats off!

The colors before us fly;

But more than a flag is passing by.

Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great, 

Fought to make and to save the State;

Weary marches and sinking ships;

Cheers of victory on dying lips;

Days of plenty and years of peace;

March of a strong land's swift increase;

Equal justice, right and law,

Stately honor and revered awe;

Sign of a nation, great and strong

To ward her people from foreign wrong;

Pride and glory and honor - all

Live in the colors to stand or fall.

Hats off!

Along the street here comes

A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;

And loyal hearts are beating high;

Hats off!

The flag is passing by!

A special thanks to James M. Tarbox, editor of The History Channel Magazine for introducing me to this wonderful image.