The Battle Autumn of 1862
The poem describes the horrors and futility of war, specifically the Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War. It portrays the devastating effects on soldiers and civilians alike, highlighting the senseless loss of life and the destruction caused by conflict. The poem also touches on themes of patriotism, duty, and the moral complexities of war.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Nature Writing · 306 words
First lines
THE flags of war like storm-birds fly, The charging trumpets blow; Yet rolls no thunder in the sky, No earthquake strives below.
And, calm and patient, Nature keeps Her ancient promise well, Though o'er her bloom and greenness sweeps The battle's breath of hell.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Historical — The themes and context are rooted in a specific historical event, reflecting on the Civil War.
- Nature Writing — The text emphasizes the relationship between nature and human conflict, highlighting natural imagery.
- War Literature — The poem addresses the impact of war on society and individuals, a common theme in war literature.
Tags
American Civil War · Poetry · Historical Fiction · Battlefield · Autumn · War Poetry · Literary Fiction · 19th Century Literature · US History · Conflict · Soldiers · Warfare
What this Textopian page supports
The Battle Autumn of 1862 is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Nature Writing, War Literature, Philosophical
- Length: 306 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Battle Autumn of 1862 by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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