{"id":"01KG8AJJPS442Z5ZA8C2SJNDEV","cid":"bafkreifcyxrj774yd5txjmtrxcqykjusx7a6peryslner65ukmbmw54dsu","type":"chapter","properties":{"description":"# REBEL COLOR-BEARERS AT SHILOH\n## Overview - What this is (type, form, dates, scope)\n\"REBEL COLOR-BEARERS AT SHILOH\" is a chapter, specifically a poem, by Herman Melville, extracted from the text file [john_marr_and_other_poems.txt](arke:01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4). The poem is part of the larger [John Marr and Other Poems](arke:01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H) collection, which was published posthumously. The text was extracted on January 30, 2026, and spans lines 3096-3144 of the source file.\n\n## Context - Background and provenance from related entities\nThis poem is included in the \"John Marr and Other Poems\" collection, which is part of the \"Melville Complete Works\" collection. The poem is preceded by \"THE MARTYR\" ([arke:01KG8AJJPPZFK6N9NAWEW5920V]) and followed by \"AURORA BOREALIS\" ([arke:01KG8AJJPJS7YP5MS1RA9RV0J4]) within the collection. The poem reflects on the American Civil War, specifically the Battle of Shiloh, and was likely written in the aftermath of the war.\n\n## Contents - What it contains, key subjects and details\nThe poem reflects on the bravery of Confederate soldiers, the \"color-bearers,\" facing death at the Battle of Shiloh. It contrasts their courage with the vindictive attitudes of some civilians after the war's end. The poem references key events of the Civil War, including Shiloh, Stonewall Jackson's charge, and the surrender at Appomattox. It questions the impulse to punish the defeated and suggests a more magnanimous approach, referencing General Grant's treatment of General Lee.\n","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:14.477Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"REBEL COLOR-BEARERS AT SHILOH","end_line":3144,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:32.310Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"REBEL COLOR-BEARERS AT SHILOH","source_file":"01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4","start_line":3096,"text":"REBEL COLOR-BEARERS AT SHILOH\r\n\r\n\r\n_A plea against the vindictive cry raised by civilians shortly after\r\nthe surrender at Appomattox_\r\n\r\n\r\nThe color-bearers facing death\r\nWhite in the whirling sulphurous wreath,\r\n    Stand boldly out before the line;\r\nRight and left their glances go,\r\nProud of each other, glorying in their show;\r\nTheir battle-flags about them blow,\r\n    And fold them as in flame divine:\r\nSuch living robes are only seen\r\nRound martyrs burning on the green—\r\nAnd martyrs for the Wrong have been.\r\n\r\nPerish their Cause! but mark the men—\r\nMark the planted statues, then\r\nDraw trigger on them if you can.\r\n\r\nThe leader of a patriot-band\r\nEven so could view rebels who so could stand;\r\n    And this when peril pressed him sore,\r\nLeft aidless in the shivered front of war—\r\n    Skulkers behind, defiant foes before,\r\nAnd fighting with a broken brand.\r\nThe challenge in that courage rare—\r\nCourage defenseless, proudly bare—\r\nNever could tempt him; he could dare\r\nStrike up the leveled rifle there.\r\n\r\nSunday at Shiloh, and the day\r\nWhen Stonewall charged—McClellan’s crimson May,\r\nAnd Chickamauga’s wave of death,\r\nAnd of the Wilderness the cypress wreath—\r\n        All these have passed away.\r\nThe life in the veins of Treason lags,\r\nHer daring color-bearers drop their flags,\r\n    And yield. _Now_ shall we fire?\r\n        Can poor spite be?\r\n    Shall nobleness in victory less aspire\r\n    Than in reverse? Spare Spleen her ire,\r\n        And think how Grant met Lee.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"REBEL COLOR-BEARERS AT SHILOH"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJPPZFK6N9NAWEW5920V","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJPJS7YP5MS1RA9RV0J4","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:36.153Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:14.664Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}