Quote by Herman Melville
In glades they meet skull after skullWhere pine cones lay-the rusted gun,Green shoes full of bones, the mouldering coatAnd cuddled up skeleton;And scores of such. Some start as in dreams,And comrades lost bemoan;By the edge of those wilds Stonewall had charged-But the year and the Man were gone.
Summary
This quote highlights the eerie and haunting imagery of a forest filled with the remains of dead soldiers, particularly from the Civil War era. The description of encountering skull after skull, along with discarded weapons and decaying clothing, creates a sense of desolation and loss. The mention of dreaming soldiers and lamenting fallen comrades further underscores the tragic consequences of war. The reference to Stonewall's charge alludes to the famed Confederate general Stonewall Jackson, whose actions in battle are now mere echoes of the past, emphasizing the fleeting nature of both time and human existence.