The Private History of a Campaign that Failed

"The Private History of a Campaign that Failed" By Mark Twain

Summary

The Private History of a Campaign that Failed is a by Mark Twain, that takes an amusing approach on the Civil War. Mark Twain and 14 other boys call themselves Marion Rangers. When the Civil War started these boys joined to “play” war. During these short story these boy goof off a lot. They were untrained, undisciplined, and afraid. After they kill a supposed "enemy", they realize that war is not for them. At the first sign of trouble they retreated.

Characters:

Mark twain –is the main character and the narrator

Ed Stevens – is the rich kid

Tom Lyman – is the leader of the group the Marion Rangers

Smith – is the lazy kid

Joe Bowers – is a grumbler which means he complains a lot

Dunlap – is the person that chooses the names of the boys in the group called the Marion Rangers

Stranger - is the person who the Marion Rangers shot but they did not know if he was friend or foe

9 other young southern boys who call themselves "Marion Rangers"   

Plot Elements:

Exposition - The story is set in Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri in the opening months of the Civil War.

Rising Action - This group went around the county getting in scrapes without actually encountering the enemy.   

Climax - One night the group shot a stranger and to this day do not know who he was- friend or foe.

Resolution - For the narrator and half the rangers they left the army, the other half went on to become real soldiers. 

Analysis:

At the time everybody felt they needed to do their part for the war effort. Some were suited and some were not. If they had training and leadership from the beginning they would have been more effective and successful. These boys were untrained and scared. Had they waited a few more hours before the disbanding the rangers and the narrator and his scared friends heading home, the highlight of this saga for the narrator would have been that he got to meet the future president for the United States. You never know what is just around the corner, sometimes when you are scared and you retreat you miss out on amazing opportunities. In war training, leadership, and discipline are three key factors in success. I think this show that had the Marion Rangers had these three key factor as I should they would have been successful.