The following poem, entitled GLORY IN THE MORNING MIST, inspired by an actual experience of Mrs. Autry's great-grandmother in Moore Co, TN in 1863, was first used on May 16, 1998 at the Confederate Cemetery memorial service in Resaca, GA.
GLORY IN THE MORNING MIST
by Eunice Jones Autry
Strangely awakened in the early predawn
My eyes to the window are suddenly drawn
As I climb out of bed not fully awake
I feel the floor tremble, my knees begin to shake
I go to the porch to stand and look around
Then out in the woods I hear a faint sound
In the ghostly morning mist, I hear soldiers coming
Marching in columns to the sound of distant drumming
Onward they come with faces gaunt and proud
Marching out in the mist with the fog as their shroud
With banners held high in first rays of light
With honor and faith in their cause will they fight
They go forth to battle, as hundreds pass by
Knowing some will have glory and some are to die
Onward and onward in the thick morning's haze
Banners flying bravely as they pass by in waves
As the sun rises higher on the ghostly shadows
Out of the woods and across through the meadows
Ever marching with pride, in their heart is no fear
Knowing surely, for some, that death may be near
For Home and for Country, determined they go
With honor and loyalty in their gaunt faces show
I fall to my knees, hand clasped to my head
For the noises I'm hearing fills my heart with dread
The roaring of guns makes a sound much like thunder
With eyes filled with tears, I kneel there and wonder
Oh! What is their fate on this morning of glory
Will they live, will they die, who will tell their story?
That in the morning's mist with banners so proud
How they went forth to battle with the fog as their shroud
We must honor them always, tell our children their story
How bravely they died on that morning of glory
In honor they fought for a cause which was right
Defended their land, with their lives, with their might
We must not forget the price they did pay
In love and in honor we salute them today
Copyright July 1997
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