Henry's First Battle In Red Badge Of Courage

In “Red Badge of Courage” young union soldier Henry, bravely fights alongside his fellow soldiers in his first battle. However once the second battle starts he flees. Through the first four chapters, leading up to the battle, you can see Henry’s apprehension slowly rise. The army is constantly moving, which makes him and his fellow soldiers uneasy. After his regiment is finally settled into one position, young Henry’s first battle begins. After so much moving around to finally get into the right position, you could only assume, Henry and his regiment are tired. Their legs like jelly, Henry and his regiment finally start the battle. Bullets fly, Henry’s lieutenant is even shot in the hand. The men of Henry’s regiment managed to hold their line and repel the first assault. However once the second assault began, Henry noticed some of his comrades beginning to flee. This makes fear course through his veins, causing him to flee as well.

Other may view what he did as cowardly. Henry reacted this way for several reason. You have to assume after repelling the first assault fatigue must have set in, making Henry extremely tired physically and mentally. Also Henry did not run straight away from the battle, he only ran once he saw some of his fellow soldiers fleeing. Some of the soldiers he saw fleeing were veterans of the army. So in Henry’s mind, if veteran soldiers were fleeing, they must think there was no hope in this battle? Henry does say in one passage, he already does not think very highly of the generals and commanders. So seeing his comrades flee, sends fear through his body like a