How Solemn, as One by One.

Part of the cluster DRUM-TAPS.

HOW SOLEMN, AS ONE BY ONE.

(Washington City, 1865.) HOW solemn, as one by one, As the ranks returning, all worn and sweaty—as the
men file by where I stand; As the faces, the masks appear—as I glance at the faces,
studying the masks; (As I glance upward out of this page, studying you,
dear friend, whoever you are;) How solemn the thought of my whispering soul, to each
in the ranks, and to you; I see behind each mask, that wonder, a kindred soul; O the bullet could never kill what you really are, dear
friend, Nor the bayonet stab what you really are: …The soul! yourself I see, great as any, good as the
best, Waiting, secure and content, which the bullet could
never kill, Nor the bayonet stab, O friend!

Part of the cluster DRUM-TAPS.