"Killed at Resaca" is a short story by American Civil War soldier, wit, and writer

Ambrose Bierce Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 – ) was an American short story writer, journalist, poet, and American Civil War veteran. His book ''The Devil's Dictionary'' was named as one of "The 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature" by t ...

. First published in '' The San Francisco Examiner'' on June 5, 1887, it was later included in Bierce's ''

Tales of Soldiers and Civilians ''Tales of Soldiers and Civilians'' is a collection of short stories by American Civil War soldier, wit, and writer Ambrose Bierce, also published under the title ''In the Midst of Life''. With a stated publication date of 1891 (but actually publ ...

'' in 1891. Donald T. Blume. ''Ambrose Bierce's Civilians and Soldiers in Context: A Critical Study''. Kent State University Press, 2004. . P. 74.

Plot

"Killed at Resaca" begins with the narrator describing a lieutenant, Herman Brayle, he serves with during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Brayle, a tall man with fair features, consistently wears full uniform and never takes cover during battle. Despite being questioned for his reasoning to behave so foolishly in battles and with little regards for his safety, he never explains or changes his actions. One day when given an order to deliver a message, rather than taking a safe path to do so, Brayle charges out into an open field and is fired upon by Confederate troops. Watching his heroic figure galloping through the gunshots, the Union soldiers also put forth their own efforts to defend and battle. Even when presented with an opportunity for salvation in the form of a hiding place, Brayle awaits death with a defiant stance. After he falls, the battle is ended and Confederate soldiers assist in his removal from the field and even play a dirge. Included among the possessions of the slain hero is a letter from a woman, who writes that she had heard he hid behind a tree once during a battle, and would rather he were dead than learn that he was the sort of coward who would take cover. Bitter at the loss the letter has caused, the narrator vows to pay a visit to the woman and reveal the destruction of her words. She throws the letter into the fire because it's stained and she "can't stand the sight of blood", howevermuch she enjoyed the thought of it being shed. When she asks how Brayle died, he does not relate the story of his heroic actions. Instead, he simply replies, "He was bitten by a snake."

References

External links

Text of the story
Short stories by Ambrose Bierce 1887 short stories Short stories set in the American Civil War Works originally published in the San Francisco Examiner {{Ambrose Bierce