Stephen Crane was Americas first realistic writer who exposed the realities of war and other unfavorable conditions to a very nave American audience. A hundred years ago, people did not see the world in quite an open manner, as they do today. Those who lived in poverty, abuse, and other harsh conditions were finally exposed to America in 1893 by a 22-year old college free lance writer who simply wished to show things as they appeared to him: bitterly real. Crane is a well noted: realist author, short story writer and poet. He wrote many short stories devoted to the Civil war and European wars, often going to Europe and staying with armies in order to create his fact-fiction works. His realism expressed the harsh realities of the world; he wrote often of : fallen humanity, harsh realities of war and fighting, and emotional and intellectual responses of people under extreme pressure. .
In The Upturned Face, Crane tells a tale of a soldier being buried by his fellow officers during war fare; common event during war. The hash realities of war are painted with accurate detail, for example: "We better search his clothes for- things," (Crane 273). The Adjutant shows the remorse of having to search the dead comrades fatigues for items of wealth and identification. This is an accurate portrayal of war. Other examples of the harshness of war are: "The fire of the Rostina sharpshooters was accurate and continuous."(Crane 275) For a further example, "The dull beat of the pick striking the earth sounded amid the swift snap of close bullets,"(Crane 273 ). Officers would often have to bury fellow officers during the war. In this case as they are burying Bill( the dead officer) and they can hear the bullets of the Rostina sharpshooters. This detail creates a scene of historical accuracy as it uses real European squad names and exposes the things beside combat officers had to face.