Song – John Wiggins, 20 May 1861

2015.002.103e

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Fragment of a song/poem written by John W. Wiggins on May 20th, 1861, entitled “A Short But Knowing Song.” The lyrics express Wiggins’ frustration at being too young to enlist in the Confederate army.

---

A Short But Knowing Song

I am a [???] blade

I am a [???] blade

I am a [???] blade

And follow country for my trade

All on my breast I wore a star

The golden pearls of the thundering war

O kind miss wont you list and go

O kind miss wont you list and go

O kind miss wont you list and go

And follow the [???]

I am two [too] young I cannot go

I am two young I cannot go

I am two young I cannot go

I cannot leave my [???]

[line illegible]

your old enough some where youll do

you old enough some where youll do

We take 16 and twenty two

Wrote May 20th 1861

By John W. Wiggins

---

John W. Wiggins, age 19, from Cherokee County, NC, enlisted in Company F, of the 39^th NC Infantry, circa February 23, 1862. He is listed as a sergeant as of November 25, 1862, and was wounded at Stones River on December 31, 1862, but returned to duty the next day. He was promoted to 1^st Sergeant of Company F on March 1, 1863. He was fatally wounded at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863, and died in the hospital on September 21^st. He was twice reported on the Confederate Honor Roll for valiant service, at Stones River and Chickamauga.