Kincaid's Battery (ePub)

George Washington Cable (1844-1925) was a notable American novelist and social critic who made significant contributions to Southern literature in the post-Civil War era. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was immersed in the rich multicultural environment of the South, which later became the backdrop for much of his fiction. Cable served in the Confederate Army before turning his attention to writing and journalism. He was a leading literary figure associated with regionalism in American literature, aiming to depict life in the South with authenticity, often focusing on Creole culture and racial issues.

Cable's literary style is characterized by its vivid realism and narrative detail, which he employed to critique the social order of the antebellum South and the complexities of race relations. He published his first collection of stories, 'Old Creole Days,' to widespread acclaim, and his subsequent novel, 'The Grandissimes,' further solidified his reputation. Among his other notable works is 'Kincaid's Battery' (1888), a novel that explores themes of honor, duty, and the impact of the Civil War on Southern society. Though his painstaking depiction of local speech and customs earned him critical praise, it also provoked controversy in his home region due to his progressive views on race and social reform. Today, Cable is remembered as a pioneer in Southern literature, whose works continue to be studied for their historical and cultural significance.