sagacious things wise decisions (Henry's assessment of his own actions).
shirking child a child who neglects an obligation.
skirmish/skirmishers a brief fight or encounter between small groups of troops/ the troops who take part in a skirmish.
slang phrase Henry's name, like a slang phrase, would be used derisively. He has become an object of contempt.
small weapon Henry's holding of Wilson's letters.
so much devilment the chaos of war.
soldier's bath the act of yawning and stretching at daybreak.
storm banshee in folklore, a banshee is a female spirit believed to wail outside a house as a warning that a death will occur soon in the family; here, it refers to the shrieking sound of the artillery shells coming in over the heads of the troops.
sultry nightmare Henry 's overcoming of all his doubts and shortcomings in his transformation into a brave, courageous soldier.
swad a large number.
swash of the fragrant water the splashing of water.
symmetrical act Henry is trying to justify his running from battle as being no worse than the army's retreat from battle.
that mighty blue machine the Union Army.
the colors the flag.
the lieutenant an officer ranking above a second lieutenant and below a captain; here, a first lieutenant.
the Question the question which all soldiers face: What will death be like?
the rebs rebels, Confederate soldiers.
they drank his recitals Henry imagines that the two women will be held spellbound by his war stories and will regard him as a hero.
to chant a paean to sing a hymn of thanksgiving and praise.
