Twas early in the morning of 1863
We started out on picket, not knowing what we'd see
The bridge we knew was floating. If the yankee should persue
We know we should be captured if runing we'd not do
To stop and give them battle we never thought of it
The shot at us did rattle, so we thought we'd better "git"
The captain tried to rally us and so did brave young Linn
And Rader too with pistol drawn, Fenly next "put in"
Rainbolt too, with angry words attempts to stop our flight
They tell us yet to stop with them, and give the yankees fight
They saw they could not stop us, to try it would be in vain
So their only chance to safety was to give their steeds the rein
Now this portion of my story will cause your hearts to bleed
It tells of those who halted while going at full speed
First came Billy Eddins with musket shot in thigh
He was told by the yankees "surrender now or die!"
Then came poor Johnny Burnes with sabre cut in head
And nearby him, and wounded, stood the still unconquered Red
Then Oscar and June Harris stood near in sore affright
Then came the young De Marcus, in none the better plight
Yarborough too with chalky cheek was walking down the road
The yankees had to some extent reliey'd him of his load
His overcoat he had pull'd off and in his shirt he stood
In woeful plight, he was a sight, his face contain'd no blood
Then came the lively Lilly, with teeth hard set in wrath
To think that some had pass'd him by, but picked him up at last
Then Burnes came, and Maynard, them Graham and Jim Baugh
The gallant Bone was found along and brought back from afar
But of that handsome Parton I must not fail to tell
His graceful way of riding you all remember well
But today the fates concluded to stop his wild career
So from his horse was jolted by a musket from the rear
The gallant Hill and dashing Dees, were spurring for dear life
When a yankee rode with perfect ease upon them with a knife
Surrender now my pretty pair and do it quickly too
Stop at once and turn your mare or I will run you through!
They stopped in once and faced about and to the rear did start
And back they came with legs quite lame with faint and sinking heart
And there they saw a crowd who were gobbled up that day
They were the twain that made 17, and we were march'd away