Joined the Blues

Says Stonewall Jackson to "Little Phil": "Phil, have you heard the news?
Why, our 'Joe' Wheeler — 'Fighting Joe' — has gone and joined the blues.

"Ay, no mistake — I saw him come — I heard the oath he took —
And you'll find it duly entered up in yon great Record Book.

"Yes, 'Phil,' it is a change since then (we give the Lord due thanks)
When 'Joe' came swooping like a hawk upon your Sherman's flanks!

"Why, 'Phil,' you knew the trick yourself — but 'Joe' had all the points —
And we've yet to hear his horses died of stiff or rusty joints!

"But what of that? — the deed I saw to-day in yonder town
Leads all we did and all 'Joe' did in trooping up and down;

"For, 'Phil,' that oath shall be the heal of many a bleeding wound,
And many a Southland song shall yet to that same oath be tuned!

"The oath 'Joe' swore has done the work of thrice a score of years —
Ay, more than oath — he swore away mistrust and hate and tears!"

"Yes, yes," says Phil, "he was, indeed, a right good worthy foe,
And well he knew, in those fierce days, to give us blow for blow.

"When 'Joe' came round to pay a call — the commissaries said —
Full many a swearing, grumbling 'Yank' went supperless to bed:

"He seemed to have a pesky knack — so Sherman used to say —
"Of calling, when he should by rights be ninety miles away!

"Come, Stonewall, put your hand in mine, — 'Joe's sworn old Samuel's oath —
We're never North or South again — he kissed the Book for both!"