Killed at Resaca by Ambrose Bierce
The story revolves around a Confederate soldier who dies during the Battle of Resaca. The narrative is presented through his perspective, offering an unflinching portrayal of war's brutality and the soldier's own mortality.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1868 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Literature, Literary Fiction · 2,751 words
First lines
The best soldier of our staff was Lieutenant Herman Brayle, one of the two aides-de-camp. I don't remember where the general picked him up; from some Ohio regiment, I think; none of us had previously known him, and it would have been strange if we had, for no two of us came from the same State, nor even from adjoining States. The general seemed to think that a position on his staff was a distinction that should be so judiciously conferred as not to beget any sectional jealousies and imperil the integrity of that part of the country which was still an integer. He would not even choose officers from his own command, but by some jugglery at department headquarters obtained them from other brigades. Under such circumstances, a man's services had to be very distinguished indeed to be heard of by his family and the friends of his youth; and "the speaking trump of fame" was a trifle hoarse from loquacity, anyhow.
What this Textopian page supports
Killed at Resaca is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1868 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: 1868 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War Literature, Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Character Study
- Length: 2,751 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Killed at Resaca by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Killed at Resaca?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set during a specific historical event, the Civil War, and explores the experiences of soldiers, making it a prime example of historical fiction.
- War Literature — The story focuses on the realities of battle, the psychological impact of war on soldiers, and the themes of bravery and sacrifice.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by its depth, complexity, and exploration of human emotions and moral dilemmas.
- Tragedy — The narrative culminates in the tragic death of a brave character, highlighting themes of fate and the consequences of pride.
Tags
American Civil War · War Fiction · Short Story Collection · Western Literature · Literary Realism · Satire · Dark Humor · Anti-War · Gallows Humor · Irony · Social Commentary · Historical Fiction