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Source: October 1985 Volume 23 Number 4, Pages 137–145
Remember Paoli! A Portfolio of Poems
Bob Goshorn
Page 137
For many years, beginning on the 40th anniversary of the "Paoli Massacre" in 1817, on September
20th the Memorial Grounds in Malvern were the site of an annual commemoration of the engagement
and the British bayonet attack on American troops under General Anthony Wayne. The occasion was
marked by military musters, bands, parades and drills, mock battles, and oratory. More than 10,000
persons, including Governor John F. Hartranft, were present at the ceremonies in 1877 on the 100th
anniversary of the "Massacre",
In the nineteenth century, occasions of this sort were also frequently commemorated with poetry.
For the Centennial Exhibition on Philadelphia in 1876, for example, John Greenleaf Whittier composed
a "Centennial Hymn", a "fine, vigorous production worthy of the genius of the poet"; and Sidney
Lanier wrote a "Centennial Cantata". "Valley Forge Centennial Poem", a poem by Mary Eloisa Thropp
Cone, similarly was written for the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the departure of the American
army from Valley Forge on June 19, 1778; it is said to have been a factor in the establishment
of the State Park (now a National Park) at that historic ground.
The "Massacre at Paoli" was similarly noted in verse. In most cases the author is either anonymous
or wrote under a pseudonym. Several poems were composed in 1817, when the original monument was
erected; others were especially written for the centennial ceremonies, when the new monument was
dedicated. On the following pages is a portfolio of poetry to help us "Remember Paoli!"
Page 138
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PAOLI MASSACRE
Stranger - who here with solemn steps doth tread,
To view the mansions of the honor'd dead;
If Liberty - this Land - its Laws thou prize
Above whate'er exists beneath the skies.
Approach with awe: Behold where long have lain
The bodies of the brave, untimely slain;
They fell, not in the manly, open fight,
But basely murder'd in the depth of night;
Accustom'd in the ranks of war to shine,
And form in fighting fields the embattl'd line,
Beneath their leaders soul inspiring care,
No foe was dreaded, and unknown was fear -
But in unguarded hour, in night's dread gloom,
By vile assassins slain, they fill'd the tomb.
But if a friend to kings, and Britain's Isle,
Fly hence, nor dare the sacred spot defile.
If foe to freedom, shun this hallow'd place,
And herd with slaves - to freedom a disgrace.
Their deaths were useful in a future day,
And nerv'd the arm in many a battle fray.
Paoli massacre, the sires relate,
And teach their sons, the brave men's hapless fate;
Hence in succeeding times what warriors rose,
And wreak'd just vengeance on their British foes,
A gallant main - who earn'd unbounded praise,
Equal in arms - to Greece's proudest days.
1817
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EPITAPH for the Paoli Monument : Tyro
Stay! stranger, stay! and ere thou passest, weep
O'er this lone spot, where slaughter'd soldiers sleep!
Within these walls, here, more than fifty brave,
By Britons murder'd, have a common grave!
Prostrate in sleep, in yonder field they lay!
When came, on murder bent, the savage Grey.
Ah! see, e'en while in sleep's soft arms they lie,
The bay'net strikes their hearts! - they groan - they die!
Page 139
For them, who perish'd thus in freedom's cause,
And suffer'd death beyond war's usual laws,
To satiate the bloody thirst of one,
Their greatful county rears this sacred stone.
Long as bright Phoebus o'er us drives his car,
And in your ambient flame appears a star;
Long as the seasons in their course are turn'd,
They, by their mindful country, shall be mourn'd:
Whilst Britain's barb'rous fiends, who hither came
To butcher these, forever blasts her name;
And Grey their leader gains eternal shame.
1817
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THE WOODSMAN OF VALLEY HILL : A. A. K.
It sounded out clear on the frosty air,
The ring of the woodsman's blade,
As with many a swift and swinging curve
The axe to the root was laid.
The sinewy arm was as firm as steel,
The eye and the heart as true;
Oh, a life of content was the woodsman's life,
That never a regret knew!
Lo, broad was his chest, for his lungs were great,
And his heart was big and kind,
And his face was bronzed by many a sun,
And many a keen north wind.
His unkempt locks were threaded with gray,
His face with wrinkles furrowed o'er;
Yet his step and his heart were never so light,
In spite of his goodly three-score.
All the winds that blew and the storms that raved
Brought vigor to his massive frame;
The follies of youth had ne'er wasted his powers,
And he knew of them only by name.
Contented dwelt he in his own little cot,
With children and wife to cheer him;
And the cares that haunt the rich and the great
They never a moment came near him.
Page 140
At evening, in winter, around the log fire,
Whilst rattled the sleet 'gainst the pane,
He'd gather his children together and tell
Of the days of Mad Anthony Wayne,
Under whom he had fought in years gone by
On many a blood-stained field;
And his eyes would flash, telling of heroes
Whose blood our liberties sealed.
He told of Paoli's ever-memorable night,
When scores of his comrades fell;
Surprised in their camp by the murderous Grey
And his base myrmidons of hell!
"For a traitor had given the foe our password,
And, bayoneting the sentries without,
They fell upon us and out of our slumber
We were wakened to panic and rout.
"In vain did we rally around our old leaders,
In vain, though braver ne'er fought;
And so, by the fires that burned all around us,
The British their deadly work wrought.
Horrible the slaughter, the blood ran in streamlets
All over that memorable plain;
And the cries of the wounded, the groans of the dying
Appealed to compassion in vain.
"'Remember Paoli!" was the cry of our charging
When we met them in battle again;
"Remember Paoli!" 'twas the sign of our victory
At the charge at Stony Point plain.
"Remember Paoli!" fierce shouted Mad Anthony
As there we charged on our foe;
And the cowards quailed before us in terror
As our chargers laid their ranks low!"
Oh, how his eyes blazed, reciting the tale,
While the listeners stood breathless around!
As he followed the flag of his General that night,
O'er many a famed battle ground.
At Valley Forge he suffered, at Germantown fought,
And, following the base invading horde,
He saw proud Cornwallis kneel low in the dust,
And surrender to the patriots his sword.
And now may the smile of Heaven rest kindly
On the grave of that woodsman, I pray;
And the land that he loved may it honor the hero
In song and in legend away.
Page 141
And oh! while the country he fought for survives him,
And a star in her banner remain,
Let it ever remember these patriots who suffered
And fought under Mad Anthony Wayne!
near Paoli, September 20.
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PAOLI
"Halt!" The fatal halt was given -
"Halt!" The echoing woods replied -
Wearied with protracted marching,
Joyous ev'ry heart complied.
Quick their war-worn tents were pitched
Soon their scanty meal was o'er; -
Gath'ring round the smoking embers,
Each recounted tales of yore.
Weary, falling off, successive,
Ev'ry soldier sought repose;
Cold was earth - his bed and pillow -
Whence, alas! he ne'er arose.
Soon the night closed thick around them;
Fearful look'd the angry sky;
As if nature, sympathizing,
Wished to tell of danger nigh.
Darker! aye, the night grew darker!
All around, as yet, was still;
Not a sound was heard to warn them,
Save the notes of whip-poor-will.
Fatal silence! for, beyond them
Coward-like, fell murderers come;
Shrouded in the dead of midnight,
Stealing on with muffled drum.
Unaware the sentry paces,
To and fro, the fated dell;
And, as the lone hour is counted,
Tells the solemn "All is well."
But the words are scarcely from him;
Struggling now with death he lies,
Quick, th' assassin's dagger struck him,
Lest the camp should here his cries.
Page 142
"Forward!" now with rustling tumult,
Trampling louder, on their pry;
While owls, affrighted from their coverts,
Scream aloud their mournful cry.
Hark! the shrieks for hopeless quarter
All terrific rent the air;
Wild and oft the call's repeated
Rising shrill above them there.
But no kindred voice can answer -
Deluged now in blood they lie;
And the groans of wounded, dying,
Mingle with the steel's reply.
Blood! e'en midnight's self revolting
Stole away from the dread green;
And Sol, with clouded brow returning,
Hid from him the ghastly scene.
But the deed has been avenged -
Rest immortal fifty-three!
At Stony Point, the murd'rous bandit
Felt the arm of liberty.
1873
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"REMEMBER PAOLI" : Patriot
Come all ye gallant Minute men!
Redemption is at hand,
The groans about the Brandywine
Have but partly filled the land.
Paoli! is your watchword,
The day is very nigh,
Bring forth the presentation flag.
And wave it in the sky.
Let politicians and their plans
For one day take their flight,
No matter who's Recorder
It's sure to come out right;
Convention day is far away,
To Malvern let us go,
And at the equinoctial
Let us have a first-class blow.
Page 143
A meeting must be forthwith called,
The Minute Book be found,
Else this glorious organization
Will be run into the ground;
Ten brigadiers should take command,
And keep the line well dressed,
March the men in open order
With their badges on their breasts.
1877
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PAOLI : Miner Street
One hundred years ago this day,
When Freedom's cause seemed in dismay,
Our grandsires here in slumber lay
Upon this hill,
To pass a weary night away
Where all was still.
Their grief, o'er a recent defeat,
Their loss of comrades and retreat
Made rest a need and sleep more sweet
Than friendship's smile;
And ev'ry sentinel on his beat
Seemed free from guile.
But Howe had friends e'en 'round this camp,
Whose love for Wayne was cold and damp,
And who, with a false, darkened lamp
And treacherous breath,
Became a guide for his dark tramp
To Freedom's death.
Thus in the silent hours of night,
While Morpheus held them by his might,
Some fifty-three were slain outright
By Freedom's foes,
And left a mingled pitious sight
In death's last throes.
The sound of slaughter and of moans,
Of cries for help and dying groans
Made sacred e'en the very stones
Which 'round them lay;
And we reconsecrate their bones
Afresh this day.
Page 144
Fair Freedom's cause was born of old;
Has suffered more than pen e'er told;
And neither King nor Pope nor gold
Can keep it down,
Because it's grounded in the mould
And wears a crown.
By gen'rous gifts from those who feel
The worth of freedom bought with steel,
We rear this tomb as an appeal
To those unborn,
To never let this place reveal
A sight forlorn.
Long may it stand to mark the graves
Of those long-mourned, heroic, braves,
Who, through the treachery of knaves
With words unreal,
Were slaughtered in their roofless caves
By British steel.
1877
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PA0LI, CHESTER COUNTY, PA. : Impromptu Lines by Sarah E. Walsh, Coronado, Cal.
Why do we gather here to-day?
Fair women and gallant men.
Little ones bear garlands gay
Gathered in wood and glen.
Why do our faces wear a look
As of some loved one dead?
Not dead, only the mortal forsook,
Their brave spirits never have fled.
The music of drum and fife
Seem to bring back days of old
When our country, filled with strife,
Required hearts that were brave and bold,
Their memories are green to-day,
Emerald bright is the sod.
To-day we celebrate so gay,
And in our hearts thank God.
For a home and a land so free,
We'll never forget, no never,
Our emblem shall ever be
Union now and union forever.
Page 145
Forever and ever shall Wayne
Live in our own free land;
Our liberty he sought to gain
He it was who gave the command
At Stony Point, "Remember, boys,
Remember Paoli, give no surrender!"
Oh, the victory, the joys,
Of our own brave defender.
Shout for joy, ye hills
Of Chester County, shout;
We're free. God's mills
Grind small and put to rout
All of Briton's valor
With their scarlet coats;
Our own brave fellows squaller,
While o'er them victory floats,
Raise high our starry blue,
Let it tell the story;
Let it give the praises due,
Oh, shout for our Old Glory!
1910
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REMEMBER PAOLI! : Henry Pleasants, Jr.
Sleep well, ye heroes where ye lie,
'Twas for our Freedom ye did die.
Today above your common grave
We shall renew the pledge ye gave.
Strange tho' it seems, the foe ye fought
Have with you bonds of friendship wrought.
For side by side across the sea
We've fought to save Democracy,
To the great Faith so dear to you
Always we promise to be true.
Never shall traitor's treacherous guile
Find us enmeshed in slavery vile.
Rest well, Paoli's heroes brave.
You did your part this land to save.
And as the centuries roll by,
Ever we'll sound your battle cry
- REMEMBER PAOLI!
1952
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