C. Russell Christian (c.1861-1889) was a well known regional poet born in Logan County, WV. A son of B. and E. (White) Christian, he married Marian Trent, fathered at least one son (Carl), and died of typhoid fever at Kirbyville in Wyoming County, WV. He is buried in Oceana, WV.

THE SONG OF WAR

Of War to overturn a thousand thrones–

War to establish Barbarism and Night–

Loud War to drown a thousand victims’ groans.

Sing–fiery Muse!–and guide the strains aright!

The voice of War–to say the least–is doom;

The tread of War is Death’s most horrid plume;

The rights of War are written in the sand;

War roars–and horrid thunder shakes the spheres!

War sleeps–and Peace attempts to heal the wound;

War speaks–and vengeance of a thousand years

Urges the gray, and scatters bale around:–

Thus hath it been–shall be–since War began.

Foe to the world–to Science–and to man!

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 13 May 1927.