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A Broken Sword; A Tale of the Civil War
Excerpt from A Broken A Tale of the Civil War
It was a soft, balmy April morning - early April at that - and New York in general, and Grace Church in particular, had been taken by surprise. Furs and heavy overcoats had been the vogue up to Friday night and, as noontide of Sunday drew near, and, with it, the climax of the Doctor's sermon, Brown, the big sexton, had thrown open the outer doors and was actually mopping his brow.
Two young men stood chatting in subdued tone on the stone step at the main entrance when the heavy portals unexpectedly swung inward. Broadway at the moment was silent and well nigh deserted. None of the dozen "bus" lines profaned the Sabbath stillness of those days by jar of hoof or rumble of wheel upon the Russ pavement. Cabs and hansoms were unknown. A policeman sauntered along the opposite sidewalk in front of the St. Denis.
It was a soft, balmy April morning - early April at that - and New York in general, and Grace Church in particular, had been taken by surprise. Furs and heavy overcoats had been the vogue up to Friday night and, as noontide of Sunday drew near, and, with it, the climax of the Doctor's sermon, Brown, the big sexton, had thrown open the outer doors and was actually mopping his brow.
Two young men stood chatting in subdued tone on the stone step at the main entrance when the heavy portals unexpectedly swung inward. Broadway at the moment was silent and well nigh deserted. None of the dozen "bus" lines profaned the Sabbath stillness of those days by jar of hoof or rumble of wheel upon the Russ pavement. Cabs and hansoms were unknown. A policeman sauntered along the opposite sidewalk in front of the St. Denis.
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First published January 1, 1905
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About the author
Charles King
114 books7 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Charles King was a United States soldier and a distinguished writer. He graduated from West Point in 1866 and served in the Army during the Indian Wars under George Crook. He was wounded in the arm forcing his retirement from the regular army. During this time he became acquainted with Buffalo Bill Cody. King would later write scripts for several of Cody's silents films. In 1898, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and sailed to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War; he also led a brigade during the ensuing Philippine-American War. He returned to the United States and was active in the Wisconsin National Guard and in training troops for World War I. He wrote and edited over 60 books and novels.
Charles King was a United States soldier and a distinguished writer. He graduated from West Point in 1866 and served in the Army during the Indian Wars under George Crook. He was wounded in the arm forcing his retirement from the regular army. During this time he became acquainted with Buffalo Bill Cody. King would later write scripts for several of Cody's silents films. In 1898, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and sailed to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War; he also led a brigade during the ensuing Philippine-American War. He returned to the United States and was active in the Wisconsin National Guard and in training troops for World War I. He wrote and edited over 60 books and novels.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 28, 2018
Major Harold Wallis is a superb soldier from an influential family, openly sympathetic to the South yet an officer in the Union army, the possessor of a secret about the death of a son which has given him a hold over the grieving mother.
He brazenly committs what appear to be a series of treasonous acts yet stays a favourite of General McClellan. As the circumstantial evidence accumulates against Wallace he distinguishes himself at Williamsburg and Gaine's Mill, the latter battle being described particularly well.
As in all the stories I have read by writer and career soldier Charles King, personal honour comes into conflict with public censure and a court case ensues. He makes me wonder how any real fighting ever took place with all the personal insubordination and disciplining required.
I love the picture of the author which commonly appears on the inside of his books; the stern jaw, the upward curving mustachios, the gimlet-eyed stare - he looks not unlike the living, breathing personification of a court-martial.
I enjoyed this particular novel slightly more than those others for some reason, though its plot, tone, and outcome was pretty much of a piece.
He brazenly committs what appear to be a series of treasonous acts yet stays a favourite of General McClellan. As the circumstantial evidence accumulates against Wallace he distinguishes himself at Williamsburg and Gaine's Mill, the latter battle being described particularly well.
As in all the stories I have read by writer and career soldier Charles King, personal honour comes into conflict with public censure and a court case ensues. He makes me wonder how any real fighting ever took place with all the personal insubordination and disciplining required.
I love the picture of the author which commonly appears on the inside of his books; the stern jaw, the upward curving mustachios, the gimlet-eyed stare - he looks not unlike the living, breathing personification of a court-martial.
I enjoyed this particular novel slightly more than those others for some reason, though its plot, tone, and outcome was pretty much of a piece.
Displaying 1 of 1 review