Lost Cause
a Civil War story set perhaps today 150 years ago.20 total reviews
Comment from Tatarka2
I absolutely can't argue with this as the winner of this contest. Exceptional! You have captured the soldiers' feelings of desolation as well as their inherent drive to go on, and done it with pathos and dialogue that tells the story so truly. This COULD be soldiers today. Congratulations on an outstanding piece of work.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2014
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I absolutely can't argue with this as the winner of this contest. Exceptional! You have captured the soldiers' feelings of desolation as well as their inherent drive to go on, and done it with pathos and dialogue that tells the story so truly. This COULD be soldiers today. Congratulations on an outstanding piece of work.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2014
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I am extremely pleased that you think this story could speak for/about soldiers today. Thank you so much for your effusive praise and all those stars. Rod
Comment from Joe_P
You're a gifted writer. You tell a good tale with believable characters. I feel their courage, anguish, hopelessness, and pain.
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2014
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You're a gifted writer. You tell a good tale with believable characters. I feel their courage, anguish, hopelessness, and pain.
Comment Written 09-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2014
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Joe, winning the contest was a thrill, but receiving this six-star rating from another gifted writer is just as exciting. I am especially pleased you felt my characters' courage, anguish, hopelessness and pain. A super tribute I much appreciate. Rod
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You're welcome. You deserve the praise, and I hope that you keep on writing and sharing your gift with the world.
I deeply appreciate your calling me a gifted writer when I have contributed little.
Comment from nomi338
When the God of creation, the God of all life commanded us to love each other he was not just talking about white loving white, black loving black, etc. He was talking about all men having and showing love to all other men. Had we not failed to do that there would never have been a thing called warfare, nor weapons of war. How fruitless and empty the pursuits of war. Every battle won is only doomed to be fought again. Maybe on different shores or in different places, but fought again and again until maybe there are no more people left to fight. What a great waster of life hatred is.
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2014
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When the God of creation, the God of all life commanded us to love each other he was not just talking about white loving white, black loving black, etc. He was talking about all men having and showing love to all other men. Had we not failed to do that there would never have been a thing called warfare, nor weapons of war. How fruitless and empty the pursuits of war. Every battle won is only doomed to be fought again. Maybe on different shores or in different places, but fought again and again until maybe there are no more people left to fight. What a great waster of life hatred is.
Comment Written 08-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2014
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Thank you so much for sharing my story and your commentary on war. Rod
Comment from Kenneth Schaal
Powerful story RodG, and one that I buy. I like the way you image the trees in the opening in the aftermath of battle, and the story simply progressed to genius. Kenny
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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Powerful story RodG, and one that I buy. I like the way you image the trees in the opening in the aftermath of battle, and the story simply progressed to genius. Kenny
Comment Written 08-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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Thank you, Kenny, for sharing my story and your very kind praise. Rod
Comment from Drew Delaney
Sorry I don't have a six-star, but you won the contest, so that's so much better. You sure can write a bloomin' story, my friend. Keep up the great work. Love the part comparing the mother bird and leaving. So sad.
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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Sorry I don't have a six-star, but you won the contest, so that's so much better. You sure can write a bloomin' story, my friend. Keep up the great work. Love the part comparing the mother bird and leaving. So sad.
Comment Written 08-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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Thank you, Drew, for sharing my story and your wonderful praise. Rod
Comment from LIJ Red
Wouldn't you fight for your home and your family, like most Rebs were doing? States rights were just words to the men
in the line. This happened, hundreds of times...excellent.
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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Wouldn't you fight for your home and your family, like most Rebs were doing? States rights were just words to the men
in the line. This happened, hundreds of times...excellent.
Comment Written 08-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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You pose a very important question, the crux of the story. Thank you so much for sharing it and your kind praise. Rod
Comment from Contests
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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 A contest winning entry! A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for posting the winning contest entry. |
Comment Written 08-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 08-Nov-2014
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Wow! I am flabbergasted and thrilled. I had no idea 7 stars existed. To win this rating is a great honor. Thank you, Contest Committee. RodG
Comment from Gert sherwood
Hello Rod a very touching short story of the ugly nature of unwanted war between men
This part shows such when you said-
This cause we've been fightin' fer is long lost, Andy . . . and so are we if we don't go home."
Gert
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2014
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Hello Rod a very touching short story of the ugly nature of unwanted war between men
This part shows such when you said-
This cause we've been fightin' fer is long lost, Andy . . . and so are we if we don't go home."
Gert
Comment Written 01-Nov-2014
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2014
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Hi Gert. I am delighted you enjoyed the story and found it touching. Thanks for sharing. Rod
Comment from adewpearl
you set the stage well in your opening lines
good use of dialogue between the soldiers
a moving exchange between these young men who have suffered so many losses - a powerful commentary on the tragic nature of war
Brooke
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2014
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you set the stage well in your opening lines
good use of dialogue between the soldiers
a moving exchange between these young men who have suffered so many losses - a powerful commentary on the tragic nature of war
Brooke
Comment Written 31-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 02-Nov-2014
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Hi Brooke. I am delighted you enjoyed this story and found it moving. Thanks for sharing. Rod
Comment from rjpurdy
Superb piece of historical fiction Rod. Terrific use of the vernacular. Another subject and it could be Mark Twain. Your brought the story to life and I was fully with Andy and Tommy. I can't fathom what drove these men to continue fighting in a war that took more lives than other in our history. You are a gifted writer my friend.
~Peace & Grace~ Rod
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2014
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Superb piece of historical fiction Rod. Terrific use of the vernacular. Another subject and it could be Mark Twain. Your brought the story to life and I was fully with Andy and Tommy. I can't fathom what drove these men to continue fighting in a war that took more lives than other in our history. You are a gifted writer my friend.
~Peace & Grace~ Rod
Comment Written 31-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 31-Oct-2014
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rj, I am thrilled and humbled by your comments about both the story and myself. My first novel was a western that began during the Civil War and moved out into Indian country. At the time I was getting a Master's in American Lit, focusing on Mark Twain. Thank you so much for your very kind praise. Rod
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I love the rawness and romance of a good western and Mark Twin's inspiration is the reason I am here. He has been with me since I could first read. rj
