Oh, no! he'll not need them again;
No more will his banner be spread
O'er the field of his gallantry's fame--
The soldier's proud spirit is fled!
The soldier who rose 'mid applause,
From the humble most place in the van--
I sing not in praise of the cause,
But rather in praise of the man.

Oh, no! he'll not need them again;
He has fought his last battle without them,
For barefoot he, too, must go in,
While barefoot stood comrades about him;
And barefoot they proudly marched on,
With blood flowing fast from their feet;
They thought of the past victories won,
And the foes that they now were to meet.

Oh, no! he'll not need them again;
He is leading his men to the charge;
Unheeding the shells, or the slain,
Or the showers of the bullets at large.
On the right, on the left, on the flanks,
He dashingly pushes his way,
While with cheers, double quick and in ranks,
His soldiers all followed that day.

Oh, no! he'll not need them again;
He falls from his horse to the ground!
Oh, anguish! oh sorrow! oh, pain!
In the brave hearts that gathered around.
He breathes not of grief, nor a sigh
On the breast where he pillowed his head,
Ere he fixed his last gaze upon high--
"I'm killed, boys, but fight it out," said.

Oh, no! he'll not need them again;
But treasure them up for his sake;
And oh! Should you sing a refrain
Of the memories they still must awake,
Sing it soft as the summer-eve breeze,
Let it sound as refreshing and clear;
Tho' grief-born, there's that which can please
In thoughts that are gemmed with a tear.

On the morning of the battle of Franklin Tennessee, Major-General Patrick Cleburne, while riding along the line to encourage his men, saw an old friend--a captain in his command--barefooted, and his feet bleeding. Alighting from his horse, he told the captain to "please" pull off his boots. Upon the captain doing so, the general told him to try them on, which he did. Whereupon the general mounted his horse, telling the captain he was tired of wearing boots, and could do without them. He would hear of no remonstrance, and, bidding the captain good-by, rode away. In this condition he was killed.

From "The Confederate Soldier in the Civil War"