Civil War Rifle Poem by Ima Ryma

Two brothers lived in Tennessee,
John and Ben, both in late teenage.
For John's birthday Ben gave him me,
A Springfield rifle, twenty gauge.
When the Civil War did break out,
Both brothers left home and went forth,
Hard on the family no doubt.
John joined the South, Ben joined the North.
Later in battle, John killed Ben,
Shot him with me, marksmanship skilled,
And never knowing that fact then.
On that same day John too was killed.

Ben and John, brothers dead and gone.
On that battlefield I rust on.