The Little Regiment and Other Episodes of the American Civil War (1896)

Summary

Jeannette L. Gilder. “Stephen Crane's New Book of Stories.” New York World, October 25, 1896, p. 25

Mr. Stephen Crane is reported to have said that, when he finished The Little Regiment and Other Episodes of the American Civil War, he would write no more war stories. I have just finished reading an advance copy of this book, by the courtesy of the publishers, D. Appleton & Co., and I am compelled to say that if Mr. Crane has turned his back upon the war story he has snubbed his best friend. The Little Regiment and other tales that go to make this book are as much superior to his “slum” tales—Maggie and George's Mother—as it is possible to imagine. There are tricks of style that show the same hand to have written these stories and the two above mentioned, as well as The Red Badge of Courage, for Mr. Crane is fond of awkward sentences, and he often labors painfully for eccentricity of expression, but at the same time he shows in this book that he can tell a good story when he does not try too hard. Some of his descriptions are remarkably vivid, and they are often more vivid when terse than when he gives more words to them. The story that gives the book its name is of two brothers who belonged to the same regiment, and who, while at heart fond of each other, were apparently bitter enemies.