Gallantly Defending the Line

Noah Hinton has written a poem in honor of the 35th Ohio Infantry's ("The Persimmons") action at Chickamauga. Noah presented the poem on April 18, 2015 at the site of the regiment's effort to stabilize the Union left on September 20, 1863.

Gallantly Defending the Line

The Persimmons in their blues
Through the war they paid their dues
Chickamauga was their pride and glory
Many lived to tell the story
Reliable, reliable, the 35th Ohio

When Helm’s men came up strong
The Union Line was not too long
Van Derveer with men in tow
Kept Rebs from dealing a crushing blow
Reliable, reliable the 35th Ohio

Helm with men would never shirk
They were blasted for their work
Helm attacked at half past 10
Surprise had sided with blue then
Steadfast, steadfast Helm until his last

Helm attacked but thrice
Not successful so he paid the price
On the third his life forfeit
He and his horse were split
Steadfast, steadfast Helm until his last

After Helm failed in his stand
The Rebs still had to push their hand
Breckinridge he launches in
But luck would not help him win
Forward, Forward Breckinridge pushes on

Breckinridge, Adams, and Stovall
Barely managed to push at all
The lines of men followed the charge
But the reinforcements were far too large  
Forward, Forward Breckinridge pushes on

Persimmons, onward towards the gap!
Rebels prime for the Blues to trap
Push them back, ever farther back
Let no man stop the forward attack
Stronger, stronger leaders for the cause

Like on training grounds the 35th fought
They marched as they were taught
Breckinridge cold not hold them back
Van Derveer would never crack
 Stronger, stronger leaders for the cause

The 35th did well that day
They rose to meet the fray
With bayonets and shells galore
They kept their line and e’en more
Persimmons strong none could ignore

The line was held by Van Derveer
With strength they did persevere
And the Ohioan Persimmons
Glory won with blasting guns
 Persimmons strong none could ignore

© 2015 Noah Hinton