At the "National Encampment"
"The National Encampment" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1873. The story follows a group of politicians and military officers who gather at an encampment to discuss the state of the nation. As they engage in heated debates and arguments, tensions rise and the situation becomes increasingly volatile. Ultimately, the story ends with a violent confrontation that leaves many dead or injured. Through its exploration of political polarization and the dangers of unchecked ambition, "The National Encampment" offers a powerful commentary on the nature of power and the importance of civic responsibility.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1889 · Genre: Short Stories, Historical Fiction, War Literature · 399 words
First lines
You 're grayer than one would have thought you: The climate you have over there In the East has apparently brought you Disorders affecting the hair, Which -- pardon me -- seems a thought spare.
You'll not take offence at my giving Expression to notions like these.
What this Textopian page supports
At the "National Encampment" is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1889 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1889 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Historical Fiction, War Literature, Drama, Horror
- Length: 399 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the "National Encampment" by Ambrose Bierce
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Two Military Executions by Ambrose Bierce
- A Military Incident by Ambrose Bierce
- The Massacre by Ambrose Bierce
- A Coward by Ambrose Bierce
- A Forfeited Right by Ambrose Bierce
- The Prerogative Of Might by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — The book is a collection of short stories written by Ambrose Bierce.
- Historical Fiction — The book provides fictionalized accounts of incidents and chronicles from the American Civil War, situating the work within the genre of historical fiction.
- War Literature — Many of the stories in the book revolve around the experiences of soldiers during the American Civil War, which qualifies it as war literature.
- Drama — Several stories in the book contain elements of dramatic tension.
Tags
horror · gothic · supernatural · fiction · short story · war · military · politics · government · power · corruption · mystery