The Mocking-Bird

This story, first published in 1891, forms one of the great antiwar statements in American literature. Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American satirist, critic, poet, editor and journalist. Bierce became a prolific author of short stories often humorous and sometimes bitter or macabre. He spoke out against oppression and supported civil and religious freedoms. A Civil War veteran, Bierce had absolutely no illusions about "courage," "honor," and "glory" on the battlefield. He is also noted for his tales of the Civil War, which drew on his own experience as a Union cartographer and officer. He also wrote numerous Civil War stories from first-hand experience of being gravely wounded in the Civil War.

Ambrose Bierce, born on June 24, 1842, in Meigs County, Ohio, was an American editorialist, journalist, short-story writer, and satirist. Best known for his sardonic view of human nature and his sharp wit, Bierce became one of the most prominent turn-of-the-century literary figures. His most famous work is 'The Devil's Dictionary' (1911), a lexicon of satirical definitions that showcase his cynical outlook. Bierce's writing style often embraced the grotesque and the morbid, as seen in his collection of short stories titled 'Tales of Soldiers and Civilians' (1891) which included the renowned 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.' The short story 'The Mocking-Bird' is another example of his war-themed tales, reflecting Bierce's own harrowing experiences during the Civil War, where he served with valor and distinction. His works were considered pioneering in the genres of horror and psychological fiction, influencing future writers with his combination of dark realism and macabre romanticism. The end of Bierce's life is shrouded in mystery; he disappeared in Mexico in 1914 and was never seen again, leaving behind a legacy as enigmatic as his literature. His literary contributions remain studied and appreciated for their impact on American literature and their reflection of the disillusionment of an era.