A Horseman in the Sky

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. The most famous was due to his talent in satiric stories. Despite his reputation as a searing critic, Bierce was known to encourage younger writers, including poet George Sterling and fiction writer W. C. Morrow. Bierce employed a distinctive style of writing, especially in his brief stories. His style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, impossible events and the theme of war. In 1913, Bierce traveled to Mexico to gain first-hand experience of the Mexican Revolution. While traveling with rebel troops disappeared in Mexico in 1914 without a trace and his final fate is unknown. This is a little story is taking place during the American Civil War. The central character is a young Virginian, named Carter Druse, who decides to fight for the Union, betraying his state. He finds himself unavoidably having to kill a Confederate horseman spy turned out to be his own father. The story cycles around the considerations and feelings of this young man including conflicts with himself and reality.