Prudence Bainbridge

From the mountains of New England

To Atlanta’s prison bars

Walking proudly by her husband

‘Neath the Unions Stripes and Stars.

Prudence Bainbridge did not falter

Did not tremble at his side

Fainted not at wars’ grim horrors

For she was a soldiers bride.

No one guessed the “fair young soldier”

Proudly dressed in Union Blue

Was the grave and gentle maiden

That Tom Bainbridge went to woo.

“Nay” she said “ my soldier-husband

I am lonely from your side

I will go with you to battle

For I am a soldiers bride.

Daily, ever marching onward

In a steady seething tide

Moves the sea of blue-clad soldiers

And the brave New England bride.

On the day Atlanta’s captured

Fever stalks between the to

Chooses for its latest victim

The young soldier-bride in blue.

“Do not stay to watch me perish

Go with Sherman to the sea

God has led me thus far safely

He will now my comfort be”.

‘Twas the noonday when he left her

Left his brave New England bride

As the sun sank she was praying

E’er the stars arose she died.

In the grave at morn they laid her

With the soldiers name she bore

Then forgot – ‘twas one of many

Just a victim of the war.

But her husband marched with Sherman

Thinking always of his wife

Knowing not that fate had given

Death to her and left him life.

When at last the war as ended

Looking for his wife he came

“She is dead” they say “and buried”

“on the grave you’ll find her name.”

Then he searched among the many

Victims that the fever claimed

Though he searched from morn to twilight

None found that bore her name.

‘Till at last death came and took him

From this earth to her above

But he left his task unfinished

Found he not his buried love.

Now they say that workmen working

Find the grave of her who died

Find the name of Prudence Bainbridge

Once the fair New England bride.

Written by Ida May Schaffer

July 7, 1924

Age of 18