h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bit of fun today

A short story written by Edward Everett Hale, first published in 1863 'The Man Without a Country' is the story about a fictional American Army artillery officer, who was involved in former Vice-President Aaron Burr's plan to develop a separate country in the American west. Burr was arrested and tried for treason in 1807, but there was not enough evidence to convict him (a actual event).

In the story, Nolan is also forced to face court-martial and in a moment of youthful defiance he declarers that he never wants to hear about the United States again. As his punishment the court condemns him to have his wish granted. He is taken to a Naval ship bound for a foreign station, the Captain is instructed that he is to be treated as befits an officer of his rank (Lieutenant) and allowed to wear his uniform - but the buttons on his jacket are to be replaced with plain civilian buttons and no one is to mention anything about the United States in his presence.

The story is told by an old naval officer who met him early in his exile, and starts as he receives word of Nolan's death at sea from a fellow officer.

In one scene Nolan is on the gun-deck of a frigate in a pitched battle. Many historians believe this may have been the battle between USS Constitution and HMS Java on 29 December, 1812. A cannon ball smashes through a gun port and kills the captain of a nearby cannon. Nolan takes charge of the gun crew and commands them through the remainder of the battle. The details of his actions are surprisingly accurate, after researching the procedures at that time (personal research note).

After almost 50 years of exile, Nolan life is near its end. The letter writer reports his final words are 'No man ever loved his country more, nor deserved less at her hand'

The story is well worth reading, this is only a brief introduction.

F S

It's been decades since I read that story! Granted, not many decades--just barely into the plurals, actually, seeing as I only have 4 to my name...

I remember the story, too. The fellow officer describes how, after Nolan's death, they entered his cabin and found that he had drawn a map of the United States on the wall, a map that he'd been annotating as the territory expanded...

One wonders why this story was and perhaps still is required reading in school.

Was the book made into a movie?

Just a quick reply, thank you all for your comments.

Actually Nolan reveled the map himself, and the officer began to tell him about the new states, although he avoided mentioning that they were engaged in the Civil War. He left to let him rest. When he returned to the cabin he found he had died.

The rest requires far too long a reply for now, but I first read about in a 'Classics Illustrated' comic book. That memory might also lead to another Journal about a novel later this month.

Yes paulh there is a film, I think it was made in the 1930's

F S

(catching up).