{"id":"01KG8AJJNTE73YES319BF4WAXQ","cid":"bafkreid7m34k4vdj4one4azxzpcq5ni3e5mfc33sbil56e5v3nz7bvtxqu","type":"segment","properties":{"description":"# The March into Virginia, Ending in the First Manassas.\n\n## Overview\nThis segment is a poem titled \"The March into Virginia, Ending in the First Manassas.\" It was written in July 1861 and is part of a larger collection.\n\n## Context\nThis poem is included in the collection \"[Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.](arke:01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9)\" which is part of the \"[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)\" collection. The text was extracted from the file \"[battle_pieces_and_aspects_of_the_war.txt](arke:01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8)\". This segment follows \"[Apathy and Enthusiasm.](arke:01KG8AJJNP16MN6G7EQBJSBQMR)\" and precedes \"[Lyon. Battle of Springfield, Missouri.](arke:01KG8AJJNPA1V1ZPAZE4ZC5CEC)\".\n\n## Contents\nThe poem reflects on the youthful enthusiasm and perceived glory of soldiers marching into battle, contrasting it with the grim reality of war and potential death or shame. It touches upon themes of youthful impulsivity versus the wisdom of age, the nature of war, and the anticipation of battle. The text includes lines such as \"All wars are boyish, and are fought by boys\" and \"Expectancy, and glad surmise / Of battle’s unknown mysteries.\" It also foreshadows the potential for soldiers to \"die experienced ere three days are spent\" or \"shame survive, and, like to adamant, / The throe of Second Manassas share.\"","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:20.247Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"The March into Virginia, Ending in the First Manassas.","end_line":298,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:35.910Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"The March into Virginia,\nEnding in the First Manassas.","source_file":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","start_line":252,"text":"The March into Virginia,\r\nEnding in the First Manassas.\r\n(July, 1861.)\r\n\r\n\r\nDid all the lets and bars appear\r\n  To every just or larger end,\r\nWhence should come the trust and cheer?\r\n  Youth must its ignorant impulse lend--\r\nAge finds place in the rear.\r\n  All wars are boyish, and are fought by boys,\r\nThe champions and enthusiasts of the state:\r\n  Turbid ardors and vain joys\r\n    Not barrenly abate--\r\n  Stimulants to the power mature,\r\n    Preparatives of fate.\r\n\r\nWho here forecasteth the event?\r\nWhat heart but spurns at precedent\r\nAnd warnings of the wise,\r\nContemned foreclosures of surprise?\r\n\r\nThe banners play, the bugles call,\r\nThe air is blue and prodigal.\r\n  No berrying party, pleasure-wooed,\r\nNo picnic party in the May,\r\nEver went less loth than they\r\n  Into that leafy neighborhood.\r\nIn Bacchic glee they file toward Fate,\r\nMoloch’s uninitiate;\r\nExpectancy, and glad surmise\r\nOf battle’s unknown mysteries.\r\nAll they feel is this: ’tis glory,\r\nA rapture sharp, though transitory,\r\nYet lasting in belaureled story.\r\nSo they gayly go to fight,\r\nChatting left and laughing right.\r\n\r\nBut some who this blithe mood present,\r\n  As on in lightsome files they fare,\r\nShall die experienced ere three days are spent--\r\n  Perish, enlightened by the vollied glare;\r\nOr shame survive, and, like to adamant,\r\n  The throe of Second Manassas share.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"The March into Virginia,\nEnding in the First Manassas."},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJNP16MN6G7EQBJSBQMR","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJNPA1V1ZPAZE4ZC5CEC","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:36.122Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:20.469Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}