{"id":"01KG8AJKCS0NT3J9543CTQ39AH","cid":"bafkreibbmzm6g5d4a55secq6wqvyboxlmgmojnxkbjpmv7f3qzqpdjmjh4","type":"segment","properties":{"description":"# VICISSITUDES OF THE WAR.\n\n## Overview\nThis is a segment of text, titled \"VICISSITUDES OF THE WAR.\", extracted from a larger work. It is a poetic description of the events and sentiments surrounding a Civil War battle, likely Fort Donelson, given the explicit mention. The segment spans lines 861 to 903 of its source file.\n\n## Context\nThis segment is part of the poetry collection \"[Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.](arke:01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9)\", a work by Herman Melville. The collection itself was extracted from the file \"[battle_pieces_and_aspects_of_the_war.txt](arke:01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8)\" and is contained within the larger \"[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)\" collection. This segment follows the text titled \"[STORY OF SATURDAY AFTERNOON.](arke:01KG8AJKCS6DZ3QG2VTR1KT6ST)\" and precedes the segment titled \"[3 P.M.](arke:01KG8AJM1NNNK11CMVQBKK3KWR)\".\n\n## Contents\nThe text vividly portrays the grim atmosphere of a Civil War battlefield. It opens with the Commodore's report of damaged gunboats preventing further action, leading to a somber mood among the soldiers. The poem describes the soldiers' resilience despite hardship, their determination to hold their ground at \"This Donelson.\" It then shifts to an account of troop movements, with weary regiments being replaced by fresh ones. The narrative touches upon the psychological toll of war, the \"self-scorn\" of soldiers who feel they have failed, and the fierce determination of some warriors. The imagery of blood-stained snow evokes the brutal reality of the conflict, emphasizing the sacrifices made and the call to continue the fight.","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:22.355Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"VICISSITUDES OF THE WAR.","end_line":903,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:35.910Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"VICISSITUDES OF THE WAR.","source_file":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","start_line":861,"text":"VICISSITUDES OF THE WAR.\r\n\r\n  _The damaged gun-boats can’t wage fight\r\nFor days; so says the Commodore.\r\nThus no diversion can be had.\r\nUnder a sunless sky of lead\r\n  Our grim-faced boys in blacked plight\r\nGaze toward the ground they held before,\r\nAnd then on Grant. He marks their mood,\r\nAnd hails it, and will turn the same to good.\r\nSpite all that they have undergone,\r\nTheir desperate hearts are set upon\r\nThis winter fort, this stubborn fort,\r\nThis castle of the last resort,\r\n      This Donelson.\r\n\r\n1 P.M.\r\n\r\n          An order given\r\n  Requires withdrawal from the front\r\n  Of regiments that bore the brunt\r\nOf morning’s fray. Their ranks all riven\r\nAre being replaced by fresh, strong men.\r\nGreat vigilance in the foeman’s Den;\r\nHe snuffs the stormers. Need it is\r\nThat for that fell assault of his,\r\nThat rout inflicted, and self-scorn--\r\nImmoderate in noble natures, torn\r\nBy sense of being through slackness overborne--\r\nThe rebel be given a quick return:\r\nThe kindest face looks now half stern.\r\nBalked of their prey in airs that freeze,\r\nSome fierce ones glare like savages.\r\nAnd yet, and yet, strange moments are--\r\nWell--blood, and tears, and anguished War!\r\nThe morning’s battle-ground is seen\r\n  In lifted glades, like meadows rare;\r\n  The blood-drops on the snow-crust there\r\nLike clover in the white-week show--\r\n  Flushed fields of death, that call again--\r\n  Call to our men, and not in vain,\r\nFor that way must the stormers go.\r\n\r","title":"VICISSITUDES OF THE WAR."},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJKCS6DZ3QG2VTR1KT6ST","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJM1NNNK11CMVQBKK3KWR","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:36.857Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:22.671Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}