In many of his works, Ambrose Bierce uses the affects of warfare and how it takes its toll on society. Ambrose Bierce wrote during the Civil War Period. Most of his stories and characters were set during this period.
In "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" Peyton Farquhar loses everything to help the Confederate Army. Many of Bierce's stories "draw upon his experiences in the Civil War, earning him a reputation as a realistic author of war fiction." (Hall, Sharon 87) Farquhar a "civilian and a student of hanging" is caught trying to sabotage a Union railroad by setting fire to it and is caught and is sentenced to be hung at Owl Creek Bridge. Farquhar dreams that he escapes hanging, drowning, and being shot at. "What a splendid effort!- what magnificent, what superhuman strength! Ah, that was a fine endeavor! Bravo!" (471) Farquhar then witnessed something speeding by his head and an explosion up ahead of him. The men that are trying to kill him were now shooting a cannon at him. "The cannon had taken a hand in the game he heard the deflected shot humming through the air ahead, and in an instant it was cracking and smashing the branches in the forest beyond." (472) Farquhar escapes and finds his way back to his home where his family are awaiting him. "By nightfall he was fatigued, footsore, famishing. The thought of his wife and children urged him on." (473) Farquhar then falls asleep from the exhaustion from walking. He then has another dream about being at his .
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own house. "Doubtless, despite his suffering, he had fallen asleep while walking, for now he sees another scene- perhaps he has merely recovered from a delirium. He stands at the gate of his own home." (473) As he makes his way towards his home he sees his wife at the bottom of the steps. He then rushes over to be with her. "At the bottom of the steps she stands waiting Ah, how beautiful she is! He springs forward with extended arms.