The Little Regiment And Other Episodes of the American Civil War
Author: Crane, Stephen (1871-1900)
Year: 1896
Publisher: D Appleton and Company
Place: New York
Description:
vi+196+[6 ad] pages. Small octavo (7 1/4" x 4 7/8") bound in original publisher's tan buckram decorated in red and gilt with black lettering to spine and cover with white laid end papers. (BAL 4076; Williams & Starrett 10) First edition second state.
The title story tells of two brothers in the Union army, whose seeming antagonism conceals a deep affection. During a battle, one of them is believed killed, and the other shows signs of bitter grief. When his brother suddenly reappears, they greet each other with a curt “hello” and resume their pose of hostility. “Three Miraculous Soldiers” shows the reactions of an ignorant Southern girl, who is terrified when a Union detachment camps on her mother's farm. She helps three Confederate prisoners to escape, but breaks into hysterical tears over a sentry they have wounded. “A Mystery of Heroism” is concerned with the reckless feat of a private who crosses a field during a violent battle to fetch a pail of drinking water. When he returns, apparently by miracle, the water is accidentally spilled before any of it can be used. “The Veteran” tells of the heroism of an aged ex-soldier who sacrifices his life to save the animals in a burning barn.
Condition:
A bright copy, with scarcely and of the usual cover soil, a mere hint of wear at te foot of the spine else near fine.
