# Two Military Executions explained — Can Such Things Be?

> Chapter companion for Can Such Things Be? by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

In 1862, Private Bennett Story Greene is executed by firing squad for striking his officer, Lieutenant Dudley, who later feels remorse. Weeks later during a stormy night after the Battle of Shiloh, Greene's name is called at roll call and a voice answers 'Here!' three times. Immediately after, Lieutenant Dudley is struck by a bullet and dies, suggesting a supernatural retribution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Retribution

Lieutenant Dudley's guilt over Greene's execution is followed by his own supernatural death, suggesting retribution.

### Death and the Supernatural

Greene's ghostly voice answers roll call after his execution, and Dudley dies mysteriously.

### Violence and Mortality

The execution and battlefield death highlight the violence and mortality of war.

## Character check-ins

### Ben Greene

Private executed for striking his officer; his ghostly voice answers roll call after death.

### Lieutenant Dudley

The officer struck by Greene; feels guilt and is killed by a mysterious bullet after Greene's ghost speaks.

### Col. J. C. McArdle

Not directly mentioned in excerpts; omitted.

## Key lines

> You might have thrashed me and let it go at that... Nobody saw me strike you; discipline would not have suffered much.

Greene argues that Dudley could have punished him informally, as they were once schoolmates, without formal execution.

_Greene appeals to their past friendship and the triviality of the offense._

> It means this... throwing open his coat and displaying a visibly broadening stain of crimson on his breast.

Dudley reveals a fatal bullet wound, implying supernatural causation linked to Greene's ghost.

_Dudley's death immediately follows the ghostly roll call response._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se/chapters/two-military-executions
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/can_such_things_be_se/chapters