On the Slain at Chickamauga (Poems from Battle P
The poems depict the horrors of war and the futility of human conflict. They explore themes of death, sacrifice, and the dehumanizing effects of violence. The collection presents a bleak and unromanticized view of war, emphasizing its brutal reality and the emotional toll it takes on those involved.
By Herman Melville · First published 1866 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Historical · 140 words
First lines
Happy are they and charmed in life Who through long wars arrive unscarred At peace. To such the wreath be given, If they unfalteringly have striven- In honor, as in limb, unmarred.
Let cheerful praise be rife, And let them live their years at ease, Musing on brothers who victorious died- Loved mates whose memory shall ever please.
And yet mischance is honorable too- Seeming defeat in conflict justified Whose end to closing eyes is hid from view.
The will, that never can relent- The aim, survivor of the bafflement, Make this memorial due.
What this Textopian page supports
On the Slain at Chickamauga (Poems from Battle Pieces) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Herman Melville, dated 1866 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Herman Melville
- Date: 1866 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Historical, Elegy, Philosophical
- Length: 140 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is composed in verse, utilizing poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
- War Literature — The themes and content focus on the experiences and reflections related to war, specifically the Battle of Chickamauga.
- Historical — The poem references a specific historical event, providing insight into the period and its impact.
- Elegy — The poem serves as a lament for those who died in battle, reflecting on themes of honor and memory.
Tags
War Poetry · American Literature · Civil War Era · Battlefield Description · Poetic Form · Free Verse · Symbolism · Imagery · Realism · Historical Fiction · Literary Device · Metaphor