The Red Badge of Courage

In 1862, the 304th New York Infantry camps along the Rappahannock River, preparing for an engagement with a much larger Confederate force. Private Henry Fleming voices a fearless resolve about dying in battle. The unit carries a mix of pride and tension as they await the fight.

Henry declares he is not afraid of dying, trying to steel himself for combat. Across the river, an unseen Confederate soldier taunts him and mentions a 'red badge' as a battlefield wound. The exchange plants a foreboding sense that fear will loom over him and his comrades.

The regiment departs upriver to engage the Confederate force, moving toward the front with cautious confidence. Tom Wilson urges Henry to be brave, even joking about passing his watch to his parents if he falls. As the march begins, Henry's unease grows despite the unit's outward confidence.

When battle erupts, Henry is overwhelmed by fear and deserts from his unit. He learns later that his regiment won the fight, but he fears derision upon returning. The act casts a long shadow over him as he hides in the woods.

Henry slips back into the regiment as they march, telling Tom that his head wound happened in battle and that Jim Conklin has died. He withholds the truth about his desertion, hoping the heavy casualties will mask his absence. Tom's response indicates that his own absence was not noticed amid the chaos.

The 304th is sent back into battle to support a Union offensive. Henry charges forward with renewed zeal, only to be ordered back into ranks, illustrating the tension between fervor and discipline. The fighting remains brutal as the regiment presses on.

While fetching water at a creek, Henry and Tom overhear a general plotting to sacrifice the 304th in a suicide attack. They hurry to inform their comrades, but the officers decide to stand their ground and fight on. The moment reveals the cost of leadership choices and the soldiers' stubborn sense of duty.

During the heat of the battle, Henry takes up the color bearer’s flag and tries to rally his wavering comrades. He briefly holds both flags as the 304th presses toward victory and the Confederate color bearer falls. The regiment manages to secure a victory amid mounting casualties.

A soldier tells Henry that their commanding officers lauded his bravery on the battlefield. Henry then confesses to Tom that he deserted the day before and that his shame drove him back. The moment underscores the complexity of courage and guilt in his experience.

Tom admits that he deserted as well, but was caught and forced back into the battle. The two men acknowledge their shared fear and need to stay with their unit as they press on. The regiment marches forward, emotionally burdened yet determined.

With the immediate danger behind them, the 304th continues its march and Henry reflects on a hopeful future free from fear. The experience of fear, guilt, and occasional bravery lingers as they push toward an uncertain peace. The unit advances into the next chapter of their war.