"Killed at Resaca" is a short story by American Civil War soldier, wit, and writer Ambrose Bierce.
[2] "Killed at Resaca" begins with the narrator describing a lieutenant, Herman Brayle, he serves with during the American Civil War.
One day when given an order to deliver a message, rather than taking a safe path to do so, Brayle charges out into an open field and is fired upon by Confederate troops.
Included among the possessions of the slain hero is a letter from a woman, who writes that she had heard he hid behind a tree once during a battle, and would rather he were dead than learn that he was the sort of coward who would take cover.
She throws the letter into the fire because it's stained and she "can't stand the sight of blood", howevermuch she enjoyed the thought of it being shed.