[Anonymous poem written in honor of Holmes and Tucker Conrad, two brothers, alumni of the University of Virignia, both of whom were killed in the battle of 1st Manassas/Bull Run. See letter of 1861 July 26, from Lancelot Minor Blackford at the University of Virginia]

Soldiers of Christ! well done;

Brothers in blood; in life:

Your conflict’s oer the victory won–

Ended, your mortal strife—

ii

They stood upon the field

Calm, mid the iron hail.

Holding no thought their post to yield

No heart that e’er could quail.

iii

Their souls were lifted high

To where they’d long been given

Nor cared they for the foeman night

Christ! was their friend in heaven

iv

“Retreat” “Fall back” –was heard

As thick the missiles flew–

They heard but heeded not, the word–

Firm stood, the brothers two.

v

Then Holmes’s cheery cry

His brother’s ear did greet:

“Come, stand by me, tucker my boy

“We never will retreat”

vi

One moment saw them stand

Instinct, with martial fire,–

The next–in front rank of their band

Right, at their posts expire

vii

The messengers of death

At the same instant sped

As one, they yielded up their breath

Were numbered with the dead!

viii

They say their forms inclined

Falling towards each other

As if the last thoughts of each mind

Was — Thus would I die my brother

ix

Brothers! in blood in faith

Brothers! in youthful bloom

Brothers! in life brother!s in death

Brothers! in one same tomb

x

Thus fought they “the good fight”

In death that victory won

Sprung at one bound to Heavens light

And God’s eternal Son