Crane strengthens the reader’s belief in the reality of Henry’s character change in this chapter. As the chapter begins, Henry responds without hesitation to the signal to charge. Indeed, he charges with such enthusiasm that he is described as “an insane soldier.” But Henry isn’t alone in his enthusiasm—the other soldiers are also in a “frenzy,” “a furious rush.” “They possessed a mad enthusiasm that it seemed would be incapable of checking itself before granite and brass.” Henry’s enthusiasm infects the other troops, and he is, indeed, the leader of the charge (behind the officers, of course).
Henry’s struggle between doubt and duty seems to have disappeared. There is no question that duty is the dominant force now motivating Henry. His actions and behaviors throughout the last two chapters have been courageous, indeed heroic. Henry is becoming the personification of the word duty.
Crane consistently shows the officers to be leaders who have the ability and courage to inspire their troops. Crane is consistent in his characterization of the officers as leaders because the officers must be consistent in their leadership with their troops, and they are. The front-line officers do not hesitate to lead their men into battle. The brigade officers do not hesitate to critique the actions of the battlefield officers in carrying out an overall strategy. Crane is emphasizing leadership within the chain of command. The soldiers recognize this, and, although they may not always agree with the strategy selected, they do follow because they have confidence in their leadership, which has now grown to include Henry.
