Henry sees that the advancing soldiers are suddenly streaming out of the woods in full retreat. As they flee, they run straight toward his position, and soon he is surrounded by fearful, disoriented soldiers, determined to move to a safer position. Henry grabs one soldier and attempts to ask him why he is retreating, but the soldier has no intention of talking to Henry, and, when Henry doesn’t release him, the soldier strikes him over the head with his rifle. Henry is badly dazed by the blow, and he struggles to stay conscious as he runs with the retreating soldiers.
Henry then hears “a cheery voice,” the voice of a soldier who recognizes that Henry is hurting and who helps him walk along. The cheery-voiced soldier’s conversation rambles over many topics. During this one-way conversation, the cheery soldier learns that Henry’s regiment is the 304th. The two continue walking, they eventually arrive at the campsite of Henry’s regiment, and the cheery soldier leaves him.
