Herman Melville

Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War Herman Melville

Book ExcerptEvents unfold. On Thursday added ground was won, A long bold steep: we near the Den. Later the foe came shouting downIn sortie, which was quelled; and thenWe stormed them on their left. A chilly change in the afternoon; The sky, late clear, is now bereftOf sun. Last night the ground froze hard--Rings to the enemy as they runWithin their works. A ramrod bitesThe lip it meets. The cold incitesTo swinging of arms with brisk rebound. Smart blows 'gainst lusty chests resound. Along the outer line we wardA crackle of skirmishing goes on. Our lads creep round on hand and knee, They fight from behind each trunk and stone; And sometimes, flying for refuge, oneFinds 'tis an enemy shares the tree. Some scores are maimed by boughs shot offIn the glades by the Fort's big gun. We mourn the loss of colonel Morrison, Killed while cheering his regiment on. Their far sharpshooters try our stuff; And ours ret