A Medal of Honor
A Medal of Honor is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of a young man named John Wynn who enlists in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The book follows his experiences as he fights for the cause and eventually earns a medal of honor for his bravery on the battlefield. Along the way, he encounters various challenges and obstacles that test his resolve and character. Overall, A Medal of Honor is a compelling tale of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism that offers insight into one of the most significant events in American history.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1896 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Drama · 5,382 words
First lines
He was short and thick-set: round-bodied -- a bulbous round, like an onion -- with alternate layers of waistcoats, two generally, the under one of cotton duck showing a selvage of white, and the outer one of velvet or cloth showing a pattern of dots, stripes, or checks, depending on the prevailing style at the wholesale clothier's where he traded, the whole topped by a sprouting green necktie. Outside this waistcoat drooped a heavy gold chain connecting with a biscuit-shaped watch, the under convex of its lid emblazoned with his monogram in high relief, and the upper concave decorated with a photograph of his best girl.
What this Textopian page supports
A Medal of Honor is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Drama, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 5,382 words
- Structure: 1 section, 103 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Medal of Honor by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- 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 A Medal of Honor?
- How does this short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith 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 plot is set in a historical context with fictional characters and events.
- War Fiction — The story revolves around themes of war and military life.
- Drama — The narrative includes intense emotional and relational conflicts.
- Adventure — The characters undergo significant journeys and face various challenges.
Tags
war · courage · honor · bravery · military · heroism · sacrifice · patriotism · valor · history · American · narrative