A Horseman in the Sky
by Ambrose Bierce
One sunny afternoon in the autumn of the year 1861, a soldier lay in a clump of laurel by the side of a road in Western Virginia. He lay at full length, upon his stomach, his feet resting upon the toes, his head upon the left forearm. His extended right hand loosely grasped his rifle. But for the somewhat methodical disposition of his limbs and a slight rhythmic movement of the cartridge-box at the back of his belt, he might have been thought to be dead. He was asleep at his post of duty. But if detected he would be dead shortly afterward, that being the just and legal penalty of his crime.
Use the paragraph to answer the question.
What does this paragraph reveal about the story’s cultural context?
(1 point)
Responses
Soldiers in the Vietnam War who did not follow orders were considered criminals.
Soldiers in the Vietnam War who did not follow orders were considered criminals.
Exhaustion was widespread among military troops during the Korean War.
Exhaustion was widespread among military troops during the Korean War.
Soldiers during the Civil War faced execution if they did not fulfill their duties.
Soldiers during the Civil War faced execution if they did not fulfill their duties.
Western Virginia was considered neutral territory during the Civil War.