The Washington Light Infantry

AT EVERY BOARD A VACANT CHAIR
FILLS WITH QUICK TEARS SOME TENDER EYE,
AND AT OUR MADDEST SPORT APPEAR
THOSE WELL LOVED FORMS THAT WILL NOT DIE;
WE LIFT THE GLASS, OUR HAND IS STAYED-
WE JEST, A SPECTRE RISES UP-
AND WEEPING THOUGH NO WORD IS SAID,
WE KISS AND PASS THE SILENT CUP.

THIS SHAFT COMMEMORATES THE PATIENCE, FORTITUDE, HEROISM,
UNSWERVING FIDELITY TO SOUTH CAROLINA,
AND THE SACRIFICES OF
THE WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY
IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES, 1860-65.
ONE COMPANY IN PEACE: THREE FULL COMPANIES FOR THE WAR.

BESIDES THE MAIMED WOUNDED AND CAPTURED,
ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN DIED IN BATTLE,
IN HOSPITAL, OR ON THE WEARY WAYSIDE.

IN OBEDIENCE
TO A SENTIMENT OF HONOR, ALL THE CALL OF DUTY,
AND THE PLEDGE OF THEIR SINCERITY, THEY MADE
THE LAST SACRIFICE-THEY LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES!
OFFICERS AND MEN THEY WERE OF THE VERY FLOWER OF THIS
ANCIENT CITY HER YOUNG HOPE AND FAIR RENOWN.

FORTUNA NON MUTAT GENUS ERECTED 1894

Submitted by @lampbane