The Brave Volunteer

At the time of the rebellion
Between the north and south,
Many a noble volunteer
Kent county did send out.
Among them was Chyler Davis,
He hailed from Oakfield town,
He enlisted in the service,
His native land to shield.
This brave and noble volunteer,
He left his home and friends,
For he dearly loved his country,
He went from Michigan.
Not thinking when he went down south,
The Federal ranks to fill,
That he would lay in prisons,
Belle Isle to Andersonville.

In prison cells lamenting,
For seventeen months he lay,
Thinking of the dear ones
At home so far away.
He lay in prison suffering,
No friend to hear him moan,
A living, walking skeleton,
He was when he came home.

He was discharged in Kansas,
The place called Fort Leavenworth,
And he did return to Oakfield,
The place he first went forth.
How joyful were his parents
When they saw their then lost one;
The God of heaven was merciful
To let return their son.