Friday, May 1, 2020

Diary of Corporal David L. Day: January 21, 1862

A QUIET I)A Y.

The weather still continues in an unsettled state. Although not so rough as it was, it is still too rough to attempt to do much. All the vessels of our fleet are now here, except those that were lost and the schooner with the signal corps. Nothing has been heard from her, and we are beginning to think that she too may be lost. Albert Tucker of company B died this morning, and his body was taken ashore and buried on the beach this afternoon. It is a sad sight to see men die and be buried here on this low, lonely sand-bar.

He lies on the beach, the cold waters beside,
And lonely and sad was the death that he died.
No mother mourns o'er him, no fond fair one weeps
Where far from the land of his fathers he sleeps.
But the mad swelling waves and the wild birds career
O'er the wet sandy grave of the young volunteer.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 24-5

No comments: