Explore "Rebel Color-Bearers at Shiloh (Poems from Battle Pieces)" by Herman Melville on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"A plea against the vindictive cry raised by civilians shortly after / the surrender at Appomattox"
The color-bearers facing death / White in the whirling sulphurous wreath, / Stand boldly out before the line; / Right and left their glances go, / Proud of each other, glorying in their show; / Their battle-flags about them blow, / And fold them as in flame divine: / Such living robes are only seen / Round martyrs burning on the green- / And martyrs for the Wrong have been.