The Affair at Coulters Notch
A group of travelers are ambushed and killed while passing through a mountain pass. The narrator recounts the event from the perspective of one of the survivors who was left for dead but managed to escape. The story explores themes of survival, guilt, and the psychological effects of trauma on individuals.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1868 · Genre: Military Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama · 3,885 words
First lines
"Do you think, Colonel, that your brave Coulter would like to put one of his guns in here? " the general asked.
He was apparently not altogether serious; it certainly did not seem a place where any artillerist, however brave, would like to put a gun. The colonel thought that possibly his division commander meant good-humoredly to intimate that in a recent conversation between them Captain Coulter's courage had been too highly extolled.
What this Textopian page supports
The Affair at Coulters Notch 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: Military Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Tragedy, Adventure
- Length: 3,885 words
- Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Affair at Coulters Notch by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Affair at Coulters Notch?
- How does this short story by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Military Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Ambitious Guest by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Genres
- Military Fiction — The narrative centers around a military engagement, exploring themes of bravery, duty, and the harsh realities of war.
- Historical Fiction — Set during a specific historical conflict, the story reflects the social and political dynamics of the time.
- Drama — The emotional and moral dilemmas faced by the characters create a dramatic tension throughout the plot.
- Tragedy — The story contains elements of tragedy, highlighting loss, sacrifice, and the futility of war.
Tags
Western Fiction · Short Story · Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Crime · Justice · Retribution · Vengeance · Morality · Ethics · Righteousness