Can Such Things Be? · Chapter
Two Military Executions explained
In 1862, Private Bennett Story Greene is executed by firing squad for striking his officer, Lieutenant Dudley, who later feels remorse.
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the narrato…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
Characters to notice
- 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 passages
“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.
