Henry Fleming faces a major dilemma on the eve of battle. Because of the close combat nature of the Civil War, Henry fears he will flee the field in disgrace. When he does skedaddle, he envies the wounded for their “red badge of courage.” Would such a symbol atone for his failure? When a fellow Union soldier knocks him senseless, Henry fabricates a story that fools everyone in his regiment, and his actions on the second day of battle win high praise from the regiment’s colonel.
