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When William Quantrill, in the Civil War,
Led his gray troops, like swarming ants, in raid
On Lawrence, citizens died by the score –
Unarmed. A battle, or just vengeance paid?
John Morgan, likewise, was a Southern pride;
But to the North, his acts were piracy.
His men would conquer, taking all they spied –
An army’s pillaging? Or robbery?
The line between an army waging war
And scoundrels, murderers, and common thieves;
Between a wicked gang and army corps
Is thinner than a person oft believes.
To see this truth is but to know the names:
With Quantrill rode both Frank and Jesse James.
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The picture is of William Quantrill.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantrill%27s_Raiders
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© Dennis Allen Lange and thebardonthehill.wordpress.com, 2017.
The Bard on the Hill 