Three Recruits by Ambrose Bierce
"Three Recruits" is a short story by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1893. The story follows three young men who enlist in the military during the American Civil War. Despite their initial enthusiasm and eagerness to fight, the recruits soon find themselves facing harsh realities of war, including the loss of comrades and the futility of conflict. As they navigate the brutal and confusing world of battle, the three friends are forced to confront their own mortality and the true nature of warfare.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1898 · Genre: Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Military Fiction · 167 words
First lines
A Farmer, an Artisan, and a Labourer went to the King of their country and complained that they were compelled to support a large standing army of mere consumers, who did nothing for their keep.
"Very well," said the King, "my subjects' wishes are the highest law."
So he disbanded his army and the consumers became producers also. The sale of their products so brought down prices that farming was ruined, and their skilled and unskilled labour drove the artisans and labourers into the almshouses and highways. In a few years the national distress was so great that the Farmer, the Artisan, and the Labourer petitioned the King to reorganize the standing army.
What this Textopian page supports
Three Recruits is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Military Fiction, War Literature
- Length: 167 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Three Recruits by Ambrose Bierce
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- Two Military Executions by Ambrose Bierce
- The Militiaman by Ambrose Bierce
- A Man by Ambrose Bierce
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- The Massacre by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Stories — The book 'Three Recruits' is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce.
- Historical Fiction — Ambrose Bierce's 'Three Recruits' draws heavily from historical settings and context, specifically the Civil War era.
- Military Fiction — The storyline of 'Three Recruits' is centered around soldiers and explores themes and situations drawn from military life.
- War Literature — The book depicts life during the times of war and provides a deep look into the consequences and effects of war on soldiers and society in general.
Tags
war · military · training · soldiers · comedy · humor · adventure · fiction · short story · classic · american literature · 19th century literature