The Two Generals by Anthony Trollope
Major Reckenthorpe, a long-serving Kentucky congressman and slave-owner past his prime, watches Kentucky's neutrality crumble as the American Civil War begins at Christmas 1860. His two sons, gathered under his roof, split violently over Secession: Tom, the elder, holds the family's slaves and land and joins the Confederacy; Frank, the younger, trained at Westpoint, remains loyal to the Union army. The brothers quarrel bitterly, with Tom threatening to shoot Frank if they meet on the battlefield, until Ada Forster—an orphaned New England heiress raised in the Reckenthorpe household and engaged to Tom despite her strong abolitionist, pro-Union sympathies—stops the oath before it's spoken. Both brothers depart for war. Frank warns Ada that marrying Tom would strand her without country, home, or fortune, and urges her to wait and reconsider; she refuses, though she promises to caution Tom about the risk to her inherited property. Before leaving, Tom and Ada pledge to meet again at the family house in Frankfort the following Christmas-eve, if he is still alive. By late 1861 both sons have become generals—Frank through genuine military competence in the Union army, Tom through the Confederacy's eagerness to recruit the well-known Reckenthorpe name. The major, proud yet grieved, laments having a son a general in each army. Tom, defying great danger through Union lines, keeps his Christmas-eve promise, arriving at the Frankfort house just after Frank has come home too. The major begs Frank not to betray his brother; Frank refuses to see Tom but also refuses to have him arrested, and leaves quietly. Tom spends a few days as a family hero before slipping back through the lines to Virginia, again promising Ada he'll return next Christmas-eve if alive. The major dies before the next year is out, grieved at the war's course. Tom serves with distinction under Stonewall Jackson's command, gaining fame for daring cavalry raids; Frank serves capably but less glamorously with the Western army near St. Louis. In late September, during a skirmish near the Blue Mountain ridge, Tom's cavalry is overwhelmed by Federal infantry. Unhorsed and nearly surrounded, he raises his pistol at a Federal officer—only to recognize Frank. He lowers his weapon; as he turns to run, a shot hits his knee. Frank kneels beside him, identifying him to his own men as his brother. Tom becomes a prisoner on parole in Frank's camp; his leg is amputated. Over three weeks together, their coldness thaws into cautious kindness. Frank asks about Tom's plans and about Ada; Tom insists he will marry her regardless of his injury and refuses to treat her as a bargaining chip for his release. Frank, though visibly troubled, uses his influence to help arrange Tom's exchange, and after months of delay in Washington, Tom is freed and declines a return to Richmond, choosing instead to go home to Kentucky. Tom arrives again at the Frankfort house on Christmas-eve, this time openly at the front door, and Ada welcomes him without hesitation despite his lost leg. The two marry the following May, even as the war continues around them. The narrative closes noting the war's ongoing carnage, expressing hope that it is nonetheless cleansing the land of slavery.
By Anthony Trollope · First published 1867 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War & Military, Drama · 10,571 words
First lines
Christmas of 1860 is now three years past, and the civil war which was then being commenced in America is still raging without any apparent sign of an end.1 The prophets of that time who prophesied the worst never foretold anything so black as this. On that Christmas-day, Major Anderson, who then held the command of the forts in Charleston harbour on the part of the United States Government, removed his men and stores from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, thinking that he might hold the one, though not both, against any attack from the people of Charleston, whose state, that of South Carolina, had seceded five days previously. That was in truth the beginning of the war, though at that time Mr. Lincoln was not yet president. He became so on the 4th of March, 1861, and on the 15th April following Fort Sumter was evacuated by Major Anderson, on the part of the United States Government, under fire from the people of Charleston.
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The Two Generals is listed on Textopian as a short story by Anthony Trollope, dated 1867 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Anthony Trollope
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War & Military, Drama, Adventure
- Length: 10,571 words
- Structure: 1 section, 171 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book explores historical events or periods through its narrative.
- War & Military — The book contains a significant focus on military actions and strategies, and explores the experiences of generals.
- Drama — The book contains conflict, emotion, and tension between characters or within a character.
- Adventure — The book features characters undertaking risky actions or journeys.
Tags
war · military · strategy · leadership · conflict · loyalty · friendship · courage · sacrifice · honor · betrayal · history