A battle piece

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78480

Title

A battle piece

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set against the tense backdrop of August 1776, this historical fiction piece explores the friction between proud Maryland troops and skeptical New Englanders during the American Revolution. Through the eyes of Sergeant Abner Cotton, a stoic veteran, the narrative examines themes of regional prejudice, the harsh realities of combat, and the forging of brotherhood amidst the chaos of battle.

Summary up to 500 words

In Ernest Haycox's "A Battle Piece," the narrative unfolds on the night of August 26, 1776, as nine thousand Continental troops await British General Howe's move from Brooklyn Heights. The American force is divided by regional tensions; proud Marylanders chafe under the command of General Israel Putnam, a New England farmer they view as unrefined compared to Southern gentlemen. Sergeant Abner Cotton, a weary but conscientious Connecticut veteran, observes this arrogance while secretly hoping to bridge the divide between his comrades and their Southern counterparts. As dawn breaks, British forces launch a surprise attack. The Marylanders, initially reveling in the prospect of glory under a Southern general, sing and boast until cannon fire shatters their confidence. Forced into a desperate retreat across marshes and burned bridges, the troops are eventually surrounded by three converging British columns. Cut off from support and trapped in a wooded glade, the unit fights to the last man. Despite initial hostility, Cotton earns the respect of his antagonist, Alex Carroll, as they face death together. The battle ends with the destruction of the Maryland companies, but Cotton finds peace in the shared sacrifice of his fallen comrades, vindicating the fighting spirit of New Englanders before Washington's masterful retreat begins. The story highlights the transition from regional prejudice to brotherhood through shared combat. Initially, Cotton struggles to connect with the Marylanders, who mock his plain appearance and Yankee demeanor. However, as the battle intensifies, the absurdity of their squabbles becomes clear against the reality of war. Carroll, initially scornful, admits a grudging respect for Cotton's coolness under fire. By the time they are surrounded, the two men fight side by side with religious intensity, acknowledging each other's courage. The climax occurs when the Americans are trapped in a clearing, facing a triangle of steel and lead from three British columns. The Maryland companies are wiped out man by man, yet their spirit remains unbroken until the very end. Stirling encourages his men to fight straight and fear no cold steel, embodying the stoic discipline that defines the Continental Army. As the Delaware men watch from the Heights, Washington crosses the East River to begin his strategic withdrawal. The novel concludes with a poignant image of Cotton and Carroll lying across each other in the forest theater. Both men are dead, but they have become fellow members of a great company, their regional differences erased by the ultimate sacrifice. Haycox uses this tragic end to honor the "fine men" lost that day, emphasizing that true American unity is forged not in peace, but in the crucible of battle where prejudice yields to shared valor.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Fiction