Against Orders
Against Orders is a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith that tells the story of a young man named John Wynne who defies his father's wishes and joins the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. The book follows Wynne as he experiences the horrors of war, including battles, injuries, and death. Despite facing numerous challenges, Wynne remains determined to fight for what he believes in and ultimately emerges from the conflict a changed man.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1891 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction · 5,078 words
First lines
"Here comes Captain Bogart -- we'll ask him," said the talkative man.
His listeners were grouped about one of the small tables in the smoking-room of the Moldavia, five days out. The question was when the master of a vessel should leave his ship. In the incident discussed every man had gone ashore -- even the life-saving crew had given her up: the master had stuck to his post.
What this Textopian page supports
Against Orders is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1891 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: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction, Drama, Romance
- Length: 5,078 words
- Structure: 1 section, 89 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Against Orders 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 Against Orders?
- 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?
Similar titles
- The Two Generals by Anthony Trollope
- Hello Soldier by Edward Dyson
- The Fighting Fool by Perley Poore Sheehan
- Officer And Man by Louis Becke
- With The Main Guard by Rudyard Kipling
- Ammunition Column by Gilbert Frankau
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The plot is set in a specific historical period and incorporates real historical events and figures.
- Adventure — The narrative involves exciting and risky undertakings, often with a focus on exploration and action.
- Military Fiction — The story revolves around military life, orders, and the consequences of following or defying them.
- Drama — The book delves into intense character development and emotional themes.
Tags
adventure · historical · drama · conflict · rebellion · courage · leadership · military · strategy · loyalty · sacrifice · friendship