- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Location
- Central Massachusetts
This memoir by Ambrose Bierce is one of the most beautiful pieces of descriptive writing I've read in a long time. Except for a few introductory paragraphs, the narrative is very much what the title says, it is the battle as seen by one man, rather than a sweeping overview. Bierce was a Lt. in the 9th Indiana, which was among Buell's troops, and the narrative really begins with the crossing at Pittsburg Landing.
http://www.classicreader.com/book/1165/1/
On the little steamer crossing the river, there was a young woman, of whom Bierce recalls:
Read the whole thing, you'll be glad you did.
Cheers!
jno
http://www.classicreader.com/book/1165/1/
On the little steamer crossing the river, there was a young woman, of whom Bierce recalls:
That last sentence is so beautiful, so genuine!She stood on the upper deck with the red blaze of battle bathing her beautiful face, the twinkle of a thousand rifles mirrored in her eyes; and displaying a small ivory-handled pistol, she told me in a sentence punctuated by the thunder of great guns that if it came to the worst she would do her duty like a man! I am proud to remember that I took off my hat to this little fool.
Read the whole thing, you'll be glad you did.
Cheers!
jno