"I must suffer for deserting From the brig Niagara; Read this letter, brothers, sisters, 'Tis the last you'll have from me." Sad and gloomy was the morning Bird was ordered out to die Where's the breast not dead to pity But for him would have sigh Lo! he fought so brave at Erie, Freely bled and nobly dared Let his courage plead for mercy, Let his precious life be spared See him march and bear his fetters, harsh they clang upon the ear; But his step is fir and manly, For his heart ne'er harbored fear See, he kneels upon his coffin, Sure his death can do no good Spare him! Hark! O God, they've shot him! Oh! his bosom stream with blood. Farewell, Bird, Farewell forever. Friends and home he'll see no more; but his mangled corpse lies buried On Lake Erie's distant Shore. Walter Clark Eden Center, February 11, 1895