150 years ago on this date the American war between the states began. This is for the over 600,000 who died in that conflict. ( another poem from old site)

Let's now not talk of right or wrong
who was weak and who was strong
forget the leaders and their goals
but just the ones who fought, poor souls

Some wore grey and some wore blue
and often they each other knew
the war that started out as "grand"
too rapidly grew out of hand

The sides, it seemed, soon grew unable
to put war's horses back in stable
on both sides were soldiers bold
most of whom never grew old

They fought in cover and formation
each fought for God and their own nation
although afraid they never fled
both colors bleeding blood of red

Had it remained a border war
it may have ended long before
hostilities became so strong
none could admit to being wrong

The grey fought even stronger yet
when armies on their homeland met
they saw blue cousins as invaders
themselves as home's front line crusaders

In farmers' fields and woods they fell
each side creating its own hell
of rifle fire and cannon shot
the reason for the fight forgot

At the end of each great battle
the wagons' and the hearses' rattle
told of death toll ever growing
as result of whirlwind sowing

When seemed the war would never end
at Gettysburg, a change of wind
in Pickett's charge the grey clad fell
as if from a scythe in open dell

This turning point when Lee was beat
began the long bitter retreat
then Sherman's rampage to the sea
showed grey how ugly war could be

It seems the best of either side
for their ideals fought and died
each sacrifice was someone's brother
and left behind a grieving mother

Each soul who chose to give his all
in blue's triumph and grey's fall
when laid to rest beneath the sod
were each beloved by kin and God