The Red Badge of Courage: who's who, timeline and places

Everyone in The Red Badge of Courage, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.

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HenryHenry is a young recruit who dreams of glory but fears he might run in battle.First seen in chapter 1
Jim ConklinJim Conklin spreads a rumor about marching and admits he might flee if other soldiers do.First seen in chapter 1
Henry's motherHenry's mother gives him practical warnings and advice when he enlists.First seen in chapter 1
WilsonWilson is Henry's confident companion, whose conversation gives Henry no reassurance about facing battle.First seen in chapter 2
The lieutenantThe lieutenant is an officer whose curses after a hand wound briefly ease the soldiers' fear.First seen in chapter 4
The tattered manThe tattered man is a wounded soldier who praises the army's courage and asks about Henry's wound.First seen in chapter 8
SimpsonSimpson welcomes Henry back, examines his head injury, and judges it a minor bullet graze.First seen in chapter 13
The colonelThe colonel is a regimental commander reported to praise Fleming and Wilson for their leadership.First seen in chapter 21

Chapter 1
Henry fears he might flee in battle and finds relief when Jim admits his own uncertainty.
Chapter 2
Henry marches with his regiment, but his companions' confidence leaves him feeling isolated in his fear.
Chapter 3
As fighting approaches, the loud soldier predicts his death and gives Henry a packet for his family.
Chapter 4
The regiment waits under fire while another command retreats past, spreading panic among the inexperienced soldiers.
Chapter 5
Henry fires against an enemy charge and forgets his personal fear in the regiment's shared struggle.
Chapter 6
A renewed enemy attack sends Henry fleeing, though he later hears that the troops have held their ground.
Chapter 7
Henry defends his flight as good judgment, then discovers a dead soldier in the woods.
Chapter 8
Henry joins wounded soldiers but slips away when the tattered soldier asks where he is wounded.
Chapter 9
Henry recognizes the wounded Jim Conklin and witnesses his death in a field.
Chapter 10
Angered and frightened by questions about his wound, Henry abandons the confused tattered man in a field.
Chapter 11
Henry imagines returning to battle but gives up under shame, doubt, and exhaustion.
Chapter 12
A retreating soldier strikes Henry's head with a rifle, and a cheerful stranger helps him find his regiment.
Chapter 13
Wilson and Simpson care for Henry, accepting his account that he received his head wound in fighting.
Chapter 14
Henry receives care from his friend and notices that patience has replaced his former boastfulness.
Chapter 15
Henry returns Wilson's letters when asked, taking pride in Wilson's embarrassment while excusing his own flight.
Chapter 16
During a withdrawal, Henry blames the commanders until another soldier's sarcasm frightens him into silence.
Chapter 17
Henry fights furiously, keeps firing after the enemy withdraws, and receives praise from his lieutenant.
Chapter 18
Henry and Wilson overhear officers assigning their regiment a charge that few are expected to survive.
Chapter 19
Henry helps urge the stalled charge forward, then joins his friend in taking the dead color sergeant's flag.
Chapter 20
Henry carries the flag during a confused retreat before fierce firing restores the regiment's pride.
Chapter 21
Henry and Wilson resent criticism of the charge but delight in reports that their officers praise their leadership.
Chapter 22
Henry holds the flag as enemy troops fire from behind a fence and casualties weaken his regiment.
Chapter 23
Henry carries the flag through a successful charge, while his friend captures the opposing flag.
Chapter 24
Marching away, Henry weighs pride against shame over abandoning the tattered soldier, then turns his thoughts toward peace.
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