Farquhar asked a soldier who appeared to be from the Confederate Army about news from the front, and learned that the Northern forces were repairing the railroads and nearing Owl Creek bridge to advance their forces. Just as the soldiers step aside to commence his hanging and Farquhar can only hear the sound of his watch ticking, we move to the second section, in which we get Farquhar's back-story.

In the first section, we learn that a man is about to be hanged by a Union captain in the middle of a bridge over raging water in Northern Alabama, but he doesn't look like a 'vulgar assassin.' We find out the man is Peyton Farquhar, a well-off Southern Planter who may have been a captain, or at least sympathetic to the Confederacy. The story is divided into three sections. Union Scout posing as Confederate - The spy disguised as a Confederate soldier who informed Farquhar about the Union's plan to advance at the Owl Creek Bridge, and planted the idea that Farquhar burn it down to stop them. Bierce may also intend to have her represent Heaven or spiritual resilience. At the end of the story, Farquhar has a vision of reuniting with her, as part of his 'white light' virtual escape. The rest of the company is totally silent, respecting the rules for observing impending death.įarquhar's wife - Though never appearing in the story, she represents the safety and comfort of home, which Farquhar chose to jeopardize when he attempted to sabotage the Union's advances by burning the bridge. Union soldiers - The captain, first lieutenant, and sentinels are charged with executing Farquhar on the Owl Creek Bridge.

Later, he is described as a 35 years old civilian, a Southern planter with good looks, lacking the look of a 'vulgar assassin.' Gradually, we learn that he's not a soldier and he's being hanged for crimes against the Union. Peyton Farquhar - First introduced to the reader as 'A Man.' Bierce takes his time describing Farquhar who is to be hanged from a bridge, unfolding clues slowly about Farquhar's identity and status, immediately providing an engaging 'hook' to draw in the reader.

An owl creek bridge