Like most of the unprepared, nave Americans who believed the Civil War would consist of a few short battles and little casualties, who then after the war reached its second year truly saw the Civil War for what it really was- the bloodiest in Americas history; Walt Whitmans “Drum Taps” represents this ideal from start to finish. From the wars first battle in 1861 when Whitman saw the endeavor as a chance for the North to put to rest all of the turmoil the South created, to the see-saw battles and first hand knowledge of the detriments war could create, the poets attitude evolved.
Though many poems in “Drum Taps” is indicative of this development, “The Wound Dresser” is the best example of the author looking back upon his own initial opinions of the war, while stationed at a field hospital carrying his latest and final thoughts regarding what he held as an unnecessary encounter. However, to understand the contrasts between his first, then ultimately conclusive belief, one must delve into his earlier works.
In the first poem of “Drum Taps”, “First O Songs For A Prelude” the poem indicates to the reader that Whitman is staunchly enthusiastic towards the first battle: The tumultuous escort, the ranks of policemen preceding, clearing the way, The unpent enthusiasm, the wild cheers of the crowd for their favoritesWar! Be it weeks, months, or years, an armd race is advancing to welcome it. As we can see, like most Americans, Whitman was proud of the engagements to come because at the time, war was only viewed by those who had never seen the ugly side of it.
Like a diary of prose, “Drum Taps” follows the war and the attitudes that accompany such an event. A further example of the authors excitement for war and take no prisoners attitude can be read in “Beat! Beat! Drums! ” Beat! Beat! Drums! – blow! Bugles! Blow! Make no parley- stop for no expostulation, Mind not the timid- mind not the weeper or prayer, Mind not the old man beseeching the young man, Let not the childs voice be heard, nor the mothers entreaties, Make even the trestles to shake the dead where they lie awaiting the hearses.
Again we can see Whitmans encouragement to begin something that he will later wish never happened. Eventually, Whitman finds himself working in a field hospital during the second half of the Civil War and through his writings, takes a self-reflexive view concerning his former wartime mentality. Though most of his Civil War poems following 1862 demonstrate the authors matured viewpoint, no better work describes this evolution or contributes to the overall theme of “Drum Taps” better than “The Wound Dresser.
This poem describes Whitman working for the Union Army and questioning his earlier, incognizant attitude. The unique asset of this poem is its ideal involvement of self reflection: Arousd and angry, Id thought to beat the alarum, and urge relentless war, But soon my fingers faild me, my face droopd and I resignd yself, To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or silently watch the dead; This passage in the poem demonstrates the authors discontent for his earlier feelings, and ultimate realization of the role he has taken to aid in the war effort.
Another guise of “Drum Taps” this work embodies is Whitmans unyielding compassion for the soldiers involved in the war effort: With hinged knees and steady hand to dress wounds, I am firm with each, the pangs are sharp yet unavoidable, One turns to me his appealing eyes-poor boy! I never knew you, Yet I think I could not refuse this moment to die for you, if that would save you.
This display of pity is common throughout “Drum Taps. Like most wars, and in particular the Civil War was a war of attrition. The side that had the most to spare usually won for reasons of sheer numbers. Because of this style of fighting, shotgun hospitals were constructed near the fields of battle in order to receive the uncountable casualties. Because Whitman held the position of wound dresser, he encountered first hand the atrocities that took place during battle:
On, on I goThe crushed head I dress The neck of the cavalry- man with the bullet through and through I examine, Hard the breathing rattles, quite glazed already the eye, yet life struggles hardFrom the stump of the arm, the amputated hand, I undo the clotted lint, remove the slough, wash off the matter and bloodI dress a wound in the side, deep, deep, But a day or two more, for see the frame all wasted and sinking, And the yellow-blue countenance see. As one can tell, war is not pretty. After reading “Drum Taps” it was plain to see why his attitude so dramatically changed.
Like so many people who view life from the sidelines, it is easy to form a glamorized opinion when there is no first hand knowledge of the situation. Walt Whitmans “Drum Taps” and more specifically “The Wound Dresser” offered an unintentional case study into how ones wartime paradigm can change when faced with the situation first hand. Because “The Wound Dresser” is so indicative of the larger work, one would only have to read the poem in order to catch the gist of the entire collection of “Drum Taps”.
