The Elkhorn Tavern was built sometime in the first part of the 19th Century and was in the middle of the Battle of Pea Ridge, fought on March 7 and 8, 1862. This is from "In the Shadow of the Hills". (Source: "A Bit of History" by Virgil Talbot, page 71, Copyright 1986.) |
The Sick and Dying at Elkhorn Tavern
Over the Ridge, the pea vines,
Will soon be spreading their green.
And the creatures of the wild,
Will drink from the cool stream.
But tonight, the cries of the dying,
Travel through the trees on the wind.
The awful agony of searing pain,
Drowns out the noisy battle din.
The stench of rotting flesh,
Mingles with the smoke of war.
Side by side lie Blue and Gray,
Brothers as they were before.
Here lies Johnny Reb,
His leg shot to hell.
There lies a dying Yank,
Suffering as all can tell.
They call it the Elkhorn,
this staunch old haven of rest.
No travelers tonight, only men
Who have met war's greatest test.
Over the Ridge, the pea vines,
Will soon be spreading their green.
And the creatures of the wild,
Will drink from the cool stream.
But tonight, the cries of the dying,
Travel through the trees on the wind.
The awful agony of searing pain,
Drowns out the noisy battle din.
The stench of rotting flesh,
Mingles with the smoke of war.
Side by side lie Blue and Gray,
Brothers as they were before.
Here lies Johnny Reb,
His leg shot to hell.
There lies a dying Yank,
Suffering as all can tell.
They call it the Elkhorn,
this staunch old haven of rest.
No travelers tonight, only men
Who have met war's greatest test.
Source: "A Bit of History" by Virgil Talbot, page 71, Copyright 1986.
A good source for more information and photos about the Battle of Pea Ridge at Elkhorn Tavern, go to Civil War Trust website.
A good source for more information and photos about the Battle of Pea Ridge at Elkhorn Tavern, go to Civil War Trust website.