The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce — Volume 2: In the Midst of Life: Tales of Soldiers and Civilians

THE COLLECTED
WORKS OF
AMBROSE BIERCE

VOLUME II

IN THE MIDST OF LIFE

TALES OF SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS

Originally Published 1909

PREFACE
TO THE FIRST EDITION

Denied existence by the chief publishing houses of the country, this
book owes itself to Mr. E.L.G.  Steele, merchant, of this city.  In
attesting Mr. Steele’s faith in his judgment and his friend, it will
serve its author’s main and best ambition.

A.B.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 4, 1891.

CONTENTS

A HORSEMAN IN THE SKY                                                 15
AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE                                     27
CHICKAMAUGA                                                           46
A SON OF THE GODS                                                     58
ONE OF THE MISSING                                                    71
KILLED AT RESACA                                                      93
THE AFFAIR AT COULTER’S NOTCH                                        105
THE COUP DE GRÂCE                                                    122
PARKER ADDERSON, PHILOSOPHER                                         133
AN AFFAIR OF OUTPOSTS                                                146
THE STORY OF A CONSCIENCE                                            165
ONE KIND OF OFFICER                                                  178
ONE OFFICER, ONE MAN                                                 197
GEORGE THURSTON                                                      209
THE MOCKING-BIRD                                                     218

CIVILIANS

THE MAN OUT OF THE NOSE                                              233
AN ADVENTURE AT BROWNVILLE                                           247
THE FAMOUS GILSON BEQUEST                                            266
THE APPLICANT                                                        281
A WATCHER BY THE DEAD                                                290
THE MAN AND THE SNAKE                                                311
A HOLY TERROR                                                        324
THE SUITABLE SURROUNDINGS                                            350
THE BOARDED WINDOW                                                   364
A LADY FROM RED HORSE                                                373
THE EYES OF THE PANTHER                                              385