Leaves of Grass (1882)/Drum-Taps/I Saw Old General at Bay

by Walt Whitman

I SAW OLD GENERAL AT BAY.

I saw old General at bay,
(Old as he was, his gray eyes yet shone out in battle like stars,)
His small force was now completely hemm'd in, in his works,
He call'd for volunteers to run the enemy's lines, a desperate emergency,
I saw a hundred and more step forth from the ranks, but two or three were selected,
I saw them receive their orders aside, they listened with care, the adjutant was very grave,
I saw them depart with cheerfulness, freely risking their lives.