Not really a military poem, but here's a little ditty that was wound off after one too many exposures to the old and recently revived anti-war song "Who Will Be the Last Man To Die For a Mistake" -
"Who'll be the first to run off and hide?
To feign sudden blindness, to not see the tide
Of murder and torture? Professing great care,
But 'it's just to much trouble - I might muss my hair'.
Find any excuse and keep well to the side -
And try not to think you betrayed those who died."
Thank you, Intolerant. It's perfect! The poetry I read from the newspapers of 1775-1830 frequently include songs, so I think you're right there in the middle of military topic poetry.
It's very much like this piece of Henry Livingston's, like yours a parody, published 15 Aug 1787 and also shown in his music manuscript book, about the death of General Richard Montgomery, the husband of his cousin and the man under whom he went to war.
