The End of the Battle
A small detachment of soldiers is assigned to occupy a dilapidated house along a main highway, far from their regiment. The sergeant, feeling overworked and resentful, expresses his frustration about the assignment and the state of the army. As they march, two privates sneak away to steal fruit from an orchard, prompting the sergeant's anger. He reflects on the decline of discipline in the army compared to when he first joined. Upon reaching the house, the sergeant inspects the surroundings and decides to fortify their position. The men settle in, but their peace is shattered by enemy fire. The sergeant attempts to maintain order and morale, urging his men to wait for a clear shot at the unseen enemy. As the battle intensifies, a soldier is shot, and chaos ensues. The sergeant's leadership is tested as he tries to rally his men, but fear and panic begin to spread. Despite his bravado, the sergeant is increasingly overwhelmed by the violence and confusion. He orders men to retrieve ammunition from the fallen, but his authority wanes as soldiers express their fear and desire to flee. The situation deteriorates further when the sergeant himself is wounded, collapsing amidst the carnage. As the enemy advances, a young officer surveys the scene of death and realizes the underestimated strength of the defenders. The narrative explores themes of duty, fear, and the harsh realities of war, highlighting the fragility of human courage in the face of overwhelming odds. The sergeant's initial bravado gives way to despair, illustrating the psychological toll of battle on soldiers.
By Stephen Crane · First published 1898 · Genre: War Fiction, Realism, Literary Fiction · 2,605 words
First lines
A sergeant, a corporal, and fourteen men of the Twelfth Regiment of the Line had been sent out to occupy a house on the main highway. They would be at least a half of a mile in advance of any other picket of their own people. Sergeant Morton was deeply angry at being sent on this duty. He said that he was over-worked. There were at least two sergeants, he claimed furiously, whose turn it should have been to go on this arduous mission. He was treated unfairly; he was abused by his superiors; why did any damned fool ever join the army? As for him he would get out of it as soon as possible; he was sick of it; the life of a dog. All this he said to the corporal, who listened attentively, giving grunts of respectful assent. On the way to this post two privates took occasion to drop to the rear and pilfer in the orchard of a deserted plantation. When the sergeant discovered this absence, he grew black with a rage which was an accumulation of all his irritations. "Run, you! " he howled. "Bring them here! I'll show them -- " A private ran swiftly to the rear. The remainder of the squad began to shout nervously at the two delinquents, whose figures they could see in the deep shade of the orchard, hurriedly picking fruit from the ground and cramming it within their shirts, next to their skins. The beseeching cries of their comrades stirred the criminals more than did the barking of the sergeant. They ran to rejoin the squad, while holding their loaded bosoms and with their mouths open with aggrieved explanations.
What this Textopian page supports
The End of the Battle is listed on Textopian as a short story by Stephen Crane, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Stephen Crane
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Fiction, Realism, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 2,605 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The End of the Battle by Stephen Crane
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The End of the Battle?
- How does this short story by Stephen Crane fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Little Regiment by Stephen Crane
- Three Miraculous Soldiers by Stephen Crane
- The Fight by Stephen Crane
- The Veteran by Stephen Crane
- An Episode Of War by Stephen Crane
- A Mystery Of Heroism by Stephen Crane
Genres
- War Fiction — The plot centers around soldiers in a military setting, dealing with the realities of battle and the psychological impact of war.
- Realism — The writing style reflects realistic portrayals of characters and their experiences, emphasizing the harsh truths of military life.
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes such as authority, fear, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Historical Fiction — Set during a specific historical context, it provides insights into the experiences of soldiers during that time.
Tags
war · battle · conflict · courage · fear · soldiers · psychology · realism · American literature · naturalism · heroism · loss