The poem is a vivid portrait of a single soldier, likely dead or dying, lying in a camp during the early morning hours. The speaker focuses on the details of this man's appearance and the poignant scene surrounding him:
* The man's physical state: He is described as "fallen cold and dead," with "a sight in camp in the daybreak gray and dim." This suggests he's been killed in battle, and his body is lying in the cold morning light.
* The man's clothing: The speaker mentions his "shirt unbuttoned, (loosened for sleep, or life's last struggle)," which highlights the intimacy and vulnerability of the moment.
* The man's surroundings: The speaker notes the "faces of the sleepers" and the "slow-churning camp-fire" around him, emphasizing the contrast between the man's stillness and the quiet activity of the camp.
The poem focuses on the solitary, even tragic, figure of this one soldier. It's a reflection on death and the stark realities of war, captured through the lens of a quiet, poignant scene.
If you have any more details about the poem or the specific men you're asking about, please let me know, and I can try to provide more information.