Sheridan at Cedar Creek. 1849 (Poems from Battle
The poem depicts a scene of chaos and destruction at Cedar Creek during the American Civil War. The speaker describes the carnage and death that has occurred on the battlefield, with bodies scattered everywhere and the sound of gunfire still echoing through the air. The tone is one of horror and despair, as the speaker struggles to comprehend the senseless violence and loss of life. The poem also touches on themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of human existence, and the futility of war. The speaker notes that even in death, the soldiers are not at peace, but rather continue to suffer from the wounds they sustained during battle. Throughout the poem, Melville uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the intensity and brutality of war. The poem is a scathing critique of the violence and destruction caused by conflict, and serves as a powerful anti-war statement.
By Herman Melville · First published 1866 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Historical · 333 words
First lines
Shoe the steed with silver That bore him to the fray, When he heard the guns at dawning- Miles away; When he heard them calling, calling- Mount! nor stay: Quick, or all is lost; They've surprised and stormed the post, They push your routed host- Gallop! retrieve the day.
House the horse in ermine- For the foam-flake blew White through the red October; He thundered into view; They cheered him in the looming.
What this Textopian page supports
Sheridan at Cedar Creek. 1849 (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, Epic, Romanticism
- Length: 333 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its themes.
- War Literature — The poem centers around a battle scene, focusing on military action and heroism.
- Historical — It references a specific historical event, the Battle of Cedar Creek, and figures from that time.
- Epic — The poem celebrates heroic deeds and figures, akin to traditional epic poetry.
Tags
American Literature · Civil War Poetry · Historical Fiction · Poetry Collection · War Poetry · Battlefield Poems · 19th Century American Poetry · Melancholic Tone · Nostalgic Themes · Patriotic Sentiment · Military History · Cedar Creek Battle