Wilmer McLean’s Farms by Dennis Allen Lange

January 28, 2019 by Dennis Lange

appomattox

—

Along the banks of Bull Run lived –
…At what became the scene
Of two Manassas battlefields –
…A farmer named McLean.

The fighting was so near, a shell
…Crashed through a window pane.
It did not kill a man that day,
…But Wilmer’s hopes were slain.

Then, Wilmer had enough of War
…And he moved far away
Where battle’s sounds would never reach,
…Untouched by Blue and Gray.

‘Twas Appomattox Court House where
…He chanced to choose a farm.
No bullets flew to chase men there,
…In its calm rural charm.

But Lee, outnumbered by Grant’s men
…Like fox by many hounds,
Fled to the new place Wilmer chose –
…Onto its very grounds.

At Appomattox Station was
…The nearest shot and shell.
And Lee, surrounded, his men starved
…Gave up the Civil Hell.

Into the parlor first was Lee,
…And Grant soon took a chair.
War-weary Wilmer hosted them,
…And Gray surrendered there.

McLean fled War, but following
…It acted with caprice.
Though War came to his farm’s door, it
…Became a house of peace.

———————————————–

The Bard on the Hill