The Southern Literary Messenger

Vol. 33, No. 2, August, 1861

Jackson, The Alexandria Martyr.

by William H. Holdcombe M.D.

'Twas not the private insult galled him most, But public outrage of his country's flag, To which his patriotic heart had pledged Its faith as to a bride. The bold, proud chief, Th' avenging host, and the swift-coming death Appalled him not. Nor life with all its charms, Nor home, nor wife, nor children could weigh down The fierce, heroic instincts to destroy The insolent invader. Ellsworth fell, And Jackson perished 'mid the pack of wolves, Befriended only by his own great heart And God approving. More than Roman soul! O type of our impetuous chivalry! May this young nation ever boast her sons A vast, and inconceivable multitude, Standing like thee in her extremest van, Self-poised and ready, in defence of rights Or in revenge of wrongs, to dare and die!

Jackson, The Alexandria Martyr, by William H. Holdcombe M.D., The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. 33, No. 2, August, 1861, page 148.

Jackson, The Alexandria Martyr, by William H. Holdcombe M.D. of Virginia, in War Songs of the South Edited by “Bohemian”, correspondent Richmond Dispatch, (William G. Shepperson), 1862, “from the Southern Literary Messanger”. (PDF)