Antietam -

I woke at sunrise to face the dark day, camp it was stirring outside

This is the day I have feared for so long, this is the day I may very well die

I drew a quill from my saddle and then, a parchment damp with the dew

I signed the orders the porter brought in, and I set to writin this letter to you

Darlin please dont let them bury me, out here without a tombstone

Darlin please dont let them bury me, out here so far from my home

The brass it was polished, the cannon were stowed, as we assembled to march

The object was Rohrbachs bridge of solid stone, to take and to hold no matter

the cost

Then from the rear Captain Harland appeared, asked me what our chances were

I heard the cannon fire quite crystal clear, all I could manage were the

miserable words

Captain please dont let them bury me, out here without a tombstone

Captain please dont let them bury me, out here so far from my home

We advanced on the bridge, and from their vantage,

The sharpshooters ambushed from upon the ridge

The angel of death descended on me, and wrapped his dark wings round the 9th

Infantry

When I awoke I was laid in a bed, the parson spoke gently to me

I saw my blue coat was stained a dark red, and before they laid that white

linen on me I said

Parson please dont let them bury me, out here without a tombstone

Parson please dont let them bury me, out here so far from my home