Malvern Hill (July, 1862)

Battle-Pieces and Others Aspects of War

Ye elms that wave on Malvern HillIn prime of morn and May,Recall ye how McClellan’s menHere stood at bay?While deep within yon forest dimOur rigid comrades lay-Some with the cartridge in their mouth,Others with fixed arms lifted South-Invoking soThe cypress glades? Ah wilds of woe!

The spires of Richmond, late beheldThrough rifts in musket-haze,Were closed from view in clouds of dustOn leaf-walled ways,Where streamed our wagons in caravan;And the Seven Nights and DaysOf march and fast, retreat and fight,Pinched our grimed faces to ghastly plight-Does the elm woodRecall the haggard beards of blood?

The battle-smoked flag, with stars eclipsed,We followed (it never fell!)-In silence husbanded our strength-Received their yell;Till on this slope we patient turnedWith cannon ordered well;Reverse we proved was not defeat;But ah, the sod what thousands meet!-Does Malvern WoodBethink itself, and muse and brood?

We elms of Malvern HillRemember every thing;But sap the twig will fill:Wag the world how it will,Leaves must be green in Spring.

Title: Refers to the Battle of Malvern Hill, which took place on 1 July, 1862. The commander of the Union forces was Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan (l. 3), who, in spite of inflicting overwhelming casualties on the Confederate forces, withdrew his troops to the protection of gunboats at Harrison’s Landing.

l. 11: Richmond. Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy.

l. 16: Seven Nights and Days. This was the sixth (and last) of what is known as The Seven Days’ Battles, or the Peninsular Campaign.