"THE MOUNTAIN BATTERY."
(Dedicated to Captain W. S. McNair and command.)
The stout-hearted warriors who have fallen in battle
In defence of their country, its freedom to save,
Whose memory shall live and will ne'er be forgotten
Though long have they mouldered to dust in their graves,
Could they but look back from their graves of cold slumber,
Where in silence they are sleeping long ages away,
And see their successors, brave, bold, and undaunted,
Who have fought the proud Moros on Mindanao's plains.
For foremost in the ranks of victorious honor,
Are the heroes who founded the illustrious name
Of the 25th Battery, and one may well ponder,
On the name of its Commander, with world renown fame.
He has led with envious credit and valor,
Over many mountain trails, through swamp and ravines,
That same immortal "Battery," whose presence in battle
Made the wild Moros tremble, like cowards in fear.
The walls of Pandapatan's impregnable fortress,
Which withstood all assaults from invaders of old,
Went down like the leaves in a storm.
When "Fire!" was his order, brave and bold.
Even famed Bayan forts were shaken,
And crumbled to pieces, before him that day,
When he sent the projectiles in rapid succession
Against those giant walls, on the second of May.
Forts Maciu and Butig, whose histories were warlike,
By Lake Lanao's still waters defiantly did stand,
Until this brave Commander and his khaki-clad heroes
Blew them to fragments, all over the land.
In history's pages his name is recorded,
To be linked with the memory of the true and the brave,
Who for the honor and freedom of their glorious country,
Have fallen to slumber in numberless graves.
Nor must we forget the brave men he commanded,
Whose fearlessness, heroism, and unequaled might,
Is fresh in the memory of all Dattos and Sultans,
And the dark-colored tribesmen of Mindanao's rugged heights.
For to them is attributed our success in battles,
That were fought with such glory and national pride,
In Mindanao's valleys and on forest-covered mountains,
Where countless Moro warriors fought and died.