{"id":"01KG8AJMPZE31NP7ZKMEQQ6C62","cid":"bafkreifnathu4iin6vc2csqt2ngnd6ugagesag36pmmajjwvofpjr4imgu","type":"segment","properties":{"description":"# Gettysburg. The Check.\n\n## Overview\n\"Gettysburg. The Check.\" is a poem that forms a segment within a larger collection of works. It is dated July 1863, placing it during the American Civil War, specifically referencing the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg.\n\n## Context\nThis poem is part of the collection \"[Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.](arke:01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9)\", a work by Herman Melville. The collection itself is contained within the larger \"[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)\" compilation and was extracted from the file \"[battle_pieces_and_aspects_of_the_war.txt](arke:01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8)\". The poem follows \"[Stonewall Jackson.](arke:01KG8AJMPZRDJ19REES3Z4SRKN)\" and precedes \"[The House-top. A Night Piece.](arke:01KG8AJMQ3ETZ4D7TCKR805P99)\".\n\n## Contents\nThe poem reflects on the Battle of Gettysburg, a significant Union victory. It uses vivid imagery to describe the intensity of the conflict, the repulse of the Confederate charge, and the aftermath. The text speaks of \"pride repelled by sterner pride\" and the \"three waves in flashed advance\" that were ultimately turned back. It also touches upon the solemnity of the battlefield, with descriptions of fallen soldiers and the establishment of graves, suggesting a memorialization of the event. The poem conveys a sense of national resilience and the preservation of the Union cause.","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:24.431Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"Gettysburg. The Check.","end_line":1740,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:35.910Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Gettysburg. The Check.","source_file":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","start_line":1694,"text":"Gettysburg.\r\nThe Check.\r\n(July, 1863.)\r\n\r\n\r\nO pride of the days in prime of the months\r\n  Now trebled in great renown,\r\nWhen before the ark of our holy cause\r\n    Fell Dagon down--\r\nDagon foredoomed, who, armed and targed,\r\nNever his impious heart enlarged\r\nBeyond that hour; god walled his power,\r\nAnd there the last invader charged.\r\n\r\nHe charged, and in that charge condensed\r\n  His all of hate and all of fire;\r\nHe sought to blast us in his scorn,\r\n    And wither us in his ire.\r\nBefore him went the shriek of shells--\r\nAerial screamings, taunts and yells;\r\nThen the three waves in flashed advance\r\n  Surged, but were met, and back they set:\r\nPride was repelled by sterner pride,\r\n  And Right is a strong-hold yet.\r\n\r\nBefore our lines it seemed a beach\r\n  Which wild September gales have strown\r\nWith havoc on wreck, and dashed therewith\r\n    Pale crews unknown--\r\nMen, arms, and steeds. The evening sun\r\nDied on the face of each lifeless one,\r\nAnd died along the winding marge of fight\r\n    And searching-parties lone.\r\n\r\nSloped on the hill the mounds were green,\r\n  Our center held that place of graves,\r\nAnd some still hold it in their swoon,\r\n  And over these a glory waves.\r\nThe warrior-monument, crashed in fight,[8]\r\nShall soar transfigured in loftier light,\r\n    A meaning ampler bear;\r\nSoldier and priest with hymn and prayer\r\nHave laid the stone, and every bone\r\n    Shall rest in honor there.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Gettysburg. The Check."},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ6FNQ0XKWBY52P8DRPC9","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1G8S4TRWXNCBRKCRKS8","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJMPZRDJ19REES3Z4SRKN","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJMQ3ETZ4D7TCKR805P99","peer_type":"segment","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:38.207Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:24.740Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}