Chapter 9 – This poem, Night 1, focuses on General John Buford’s thoughts the night of July 1st. He learns that General Meade has finally arrived. He also realizes that Union forces will have a tactical advantage now that they have secured Cemetery Hill. Throughout the night Union forces fortify it with breastworks and cannon.
Written by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
General Buford Gettysburg Monument
Chapter 10 – Night 1
On Cemetery Hill
Late that night
Buford watched swinging picks
In the bright star light
On his horse sitting
Listening to the sound
Of shovels striking
Digging up the ground
Cloudless sky warm
Bright shining moon
Union Army kept arriving
All be here soon
Shot once in the left arm
Trying to feign
Arm wrapped up under coat
In continuous pain
All along the ridge
He saw caissons rolling
Cannons being placed
Very consoling
He stumbled upon the Union headquarters
Where argument was vehement
Exactly who was in command?
Was stirring quite an argument
General Howard or Hancock?
Most wanted “Winfield the Superb”
Over one-armed Howard
To guide them at Gettysburg
Howard was the Senior Officer
But Winfield had orders from Mead
Old Win was the chosen one
It must be he who leads
He finally got his orders
Just as Meade arrived
The Commander was here
Union forces revived
For tomorrow at dawn
New battle would ensue
High ground was theirs
Favoring the Boys of Blue