The General: A Short Story

Moreover, during an extensive struggle on the Morris island, a lot of numbers of torpedoes were being used by the rebels in defense of Fort Wagner. In one of the huge explosions, a corporal of the 3rd colored troops was thrown about 25 yards. “the dead soldier landed entirely naked, with arm resting on the plunger of another torpedo.”

“FIRE!” the captain screamed. The battle was at a draw with both the British and Americans firing volley after volley of lead at each other. The air was filled with smoke, the screams of dying men, and rumble of artillery near by. Then, all of a sudden the British pulled back and headed to their camp. The Americans were also heading back to their camp. The battle had started 2 days ago and both sides couldn’t break each other’s hold on the other. Both generals didn’t know what to do, but both vowed to never surrender.

“We’ve got to win this battle, and we will. We have to win the peace.” - Al D’Amato

Starting with boot camp in Parris Island, the young man, still reeling from the recent attack on his country, was soon transformed into a marine. With this transformation came the thoughts and feelings that accompanied this gruesome way of life. For instance, following an intense battle on the Tenaru River, Leckie and his fellow men were forced to hear the names of the fallen. Here it is shown just how much a man’s thoughts and feelings can change once going into battle. “It is not always or immediately saddening to hear “who got it.” Except for one’s close buddies, it is difficult to feel deep, wracking grief for the dead, and now, hearing the lieutenant tolling off the names, I had to force my face into a mask of mourning, deliberately adorn my heart with black, as it were, for I was shocked to gaze inward and see no sorrow there” (Leckie, 72). Before the life of a soldier, Robert Leckie presumably would have felt remorse for the men that died in the battle but something in him had changed. After seeing so much loss and pain, the death taking place around him soon became a normal occurrence and as a result, he found his heart hardening to death. This passage shows just how quickly war can change a man and the thoughts hidden within himself. Following this battle, Leckie continued to fight and morph into a man, though changes to his personality and demeanor became

William, entrenched for months had not gone topside yet. He was in his early twenties, but considered the “old man” in his unit, still inexperienced in the reality of war and was dreading the day he was called to go over the top, into No Man’s Land. He had begun to recognise despair in the eyes of his mates, physically shaking before they climbed the ladders from the trenches, so courageous but yet weak with hunger, there was a constant muttering of “please God save us”. Most barely 15 years’ old when the deadly whistle blew, the order came, “Over the top boys, for Victory, Queen and Country!”.

In 1914 the First World War, or the Great War, broke out in Europe. It

"We stood around awaiting orders of some kind. General Quarters sounded and I started for my battle station in secondary aft. As I passed through casement nine I noted the gun was manned and being trained out. The men seemed extremely calm and collected. I reached the boat deck and our anti-aircraft guns were in full action, firing very rapidly. I was about three quarters of the way to the first platform on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck our quarterdeck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past me. As soon as I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant Simonson lying on his back with blood on his shirt front. I bent over him and taking him by the shoulders asked if there was anything I could do. He was dead, or so nearly so that speech was

Imagine someone who has been involuntarily drafted and surrounded by thousands of other men who all have one thing in common. Now, the first-time soldier is having overwhelming emotions about this unexpected event in his life. Some may feel excited fighting for America others will just live in fear of death. On June 5, 1944, just a day before the invasion of Normandy, The commander, General George Smith Patton is on the platform who gave an inspirational “Blood and Guts” speech (The Official Website of General George S. Patton Jr 2016). The soldiers did not know anything about General George Smith Patton but he stood behind the Third Army with complete confidence of winning this battle.

BG Lane and three of his senior staff meet with the Admiral and the respective Captains of the Iowa and Hornet. They met to discuss the battle plan and what BG Lane was going to need from the Navy, which was more than eager to help. The Admiral stated they didn’t sail this far, under these conditions, to sit on their ass and watch. The meeting lasted several hours, for the General and his staff, they were able to get a nice hot meal and a shower before heading back. General Lane was satisfied with the battle plan, he knew there were a hundred different ways it could go wrong, they had covered every contingency they could think of. It was time now to get back to his Marines and get them ready to go and prepared to move out.

BG Lane and three of his senior staff met with the Admiral and the respective Captains of the Iowa and Hornet. They met to discuss the battle plan and what BG Lane was going to need from the Navy, which was more than eager to help. The Admiral stated they didn’t sail this far under these conditions, to sit on their asses and watch. The meeting lasted several hours, but the General and his staff were able to get a nice hot meal and a shower before heading back. General Lane was satisfied with the battle plan. He knew there were a hundred different ways it could go wrong, yet they had covered every contingency they could think of. It was time now to get back to his Marines and get them ready to go and prepared to move out.

The horrors of war were depicted by the constant threats to the characters lives, the brutal conditions of the bad weather, hunger and combat. Soldiers had to battle the enemy along with nature. Soldiers would become stressed, paranoid and start losing their personalities. As Captain Miller says, “I just know that every man I kill, the farther away from home I feel.” This quote shows the mental toll on these soldiers.

No favorites, they all belong to me! Looking down in the small toy box located right next to him, James stared at his six stormtroopers thinking just how perfect they are. He never gets tired of staring at their impressive white armor and admiring how ready they always are for any situation. James loved them all the same even though they had different personalities. He could never imagine his life without them. His troopers were the only thing that he could count on. They were his best friends.

Tom Derren stood, fear and excitement enveloping him every step he took. “Men, halt!” A clear voice rang out. Almost everyone stopped, a few stumbling from their wounds. “Today, we all will fight to the death- for the freedom of America!” General Washington rallied. A shouts and cries came in agreement. They were signaled to move on, and Tom clutched his musket tightly to his chest. To most he was still just a child- only 16 years old. However, he had lied to the General. A sense of shame crawled on his back, but he shook it off. No matter, he couldn’t back out now. Tom sucked in his breath when he saw the top of the fort. He looked to his side to see french soldiers coming by the thousands. He blinked in surprise and then looked ahead.

Seriously. Grif is just this lazy jerkass who does nothing but eat and sleep and figure out increasingly creative ways to avoid having to do actual work...until he's properly motivated. Until he actually gives a shit. For one reason or another. And then he holds. He's a damn good soldier when he has to be and he hates himself for it. He's a DAMN good family man when he has to be and he resents his family for it. Because he's never gotten anything from the army. He sure as fuck never got anything from his family (mom and sister) but. he loves as hard as he hates and will do what he needs to do when the time comes and all without getting a bit of thanks or recognition because no matter how much he ends up contributing he's so good at maintining

“Keep the flag of freedom flying till your last breath; if you can’t win her by living, conquer her by death. “