Throughout most of Chapter 3, the major characters behave just as they have in Chapters 1 and 2.
Jim continues to accept everything that happens as part of a grand plan. He shows no worry. In Crane's words, "The philosophical, tall soldier measured a sandwich of cracker and pork and swallowed it in a nonchalant manner." And later in the chapter Crane writes, "He [Jim] accepted new environments and circumstances with great coolness, eating from his haversack at every opportunity."
Henry's characterization is also consistent. His fears persist, and his self-doubt hasn't changed. His reactions to his environment — both to the countryside and the Confederate soldiers — become predictable. For example, when the regiment covered the same ground in both the morning and afternoon, Henry was comfortable the second time around because he had been there before. He knew the land. As Crane says of Henry, "The landscape then ceased to threaten the youth. He had been close to it and become familiar with it." However, as the troops entered fresh fields, Crane says, ". . . his [Henry's] fears of stupidity and incompetence reassailed him." At one point his fears become so great that he wants to die so that he can silence his doubts. Henry's thoughts in this chapter continue to develop the themes of fear, doubt, duty, confidence, and glory, themes which have been apparent from the opening chapter.
