The Red Badge Of Courage And Selected Short Fiction Part 14

THE MEN IN THE STORM1.

THE BLIZZARD BEGAN TO swirl great clouds of snow along the streets, sweeping it down from the roofs, and up from the pavements, until the faces of pedestrians tingled and burned as from a thousand needle-p.r.i.c.kings. Those on the walks huddled their necks closely in the collars of their coats, and went along stooping like a race of aged people. The drivers of vehicles hurried their horses furiously on their way. They were made more cruel by the exposure of their position, aloft on high seats. The street cars, bound uptown, went slowly, the horses slipping and straining in the spongy brown ma.s.s that lay between the rails. The drivers, m.u.f.fled to the eyes, stood erect, facing the wind, models of grim philosophy. Overhead trains rumbled and roared, and the dark structure of the elevated railroad, stretching over the avenue, dripped little streams and drops of water upon the mud and snow beneath.

All the clatter of the street was softened by the ma.s.ses that lay upon the cobbles, until, even to one who looked from a window, it became important music, a melody of life made necessary to the ear by the dreariness of the pitiless beat and sweep of the storm. Occasionally one could see black figures of men busily shoveling the white drifts from the walks. The sounds from their labor created new recollections of rural experiences which every man manages to have in a measure. Later, the immense windows of the shops became aglow with light, throwing great beams of orange and yellow upon the pavement. They were infinitely cheerful, yet in a way they accentuated the force and discomfort of the storm, and gave a meaning to the pace of the people and the vehicles, scores of pedestrians and drivers, wretched with cold faces, necks, and feet, speeding for scores of unknown doors and entrances, scattering to an infinite variety of shelters, to places which the imagination made warm with the familiar colors of home.

There was an absolute expression of hot dinners in the pace of the people. If one dared to speculate upon the destination of those who came trooping, he lost himself in a maze of social calculation; he might fling a handful of sand and attempt to follow the flight of each particular grain. But as to the suggestion of hot dinners, he was in firm lines of thought, for it was upon every hurrying face. It is a matter of tradition; it is from the tales of childhood. It comes forth with every storm.

However, in a certain part of a dark west-side street, there was a collection of men to whom these things were as if they were not. In this street was located a charitable house where for five cents the homeless of the city could get a bed at night, and in the morning coffee and bread.

During the afternoon of the storm, the whirling snows acted as drivers, as men with whips, and at half-past three the walk before the closed doors of the house was covered with wanderers of the street, waiting. For some distance on either side of the place they could be seen lurking in the doorways and behind projecting parts of buildings, gathering in close bunches in an effort to get warm. A covered wagon drawn up near the curb sheltered a dozen of them. Under the stairs that led to the elevated railway station, there were six or eight, their hands stuffed deep in their pockets, their shoulders stooped, jiggling their feet. Others always could be seen coming, a strange procession, some slouching along with the characteristic hopeless gait of professional strays, some coming with hesitating steps, wearing the air of men to whom this sort of thing was new.

It was an afternoon of incredible length. The snow, blowing in twisting clouds, sought out the men in their meager hiding places, and skillfully beat in among them, drenching their persons with showers of fine stinging flakes. They crowded together, muttering, and fumbling in their pockets to get their red inflamed wrists covered by the cloth.

Newcomers usually halted at one end of the groups and addressed a question, perhaps much as a matter of form, "Is it open yet?"

Those who had been waiting inclined to take the questioner seriously and became contemptuous. "No; do yeh think we'd be standin' here?"

The gathering swelled in numbers steadily and persistently. One could always see them coming, trudging slowly through the storm.

Finally, the little snow plains in the street began to a.s.sume a leaden hue from the shadows of evening. The buildings upreared gloomily save where various windows became brilliant figures of light, that made s.h.i.+mmers and splashes of yellow on the snow. A street lamp on the curb struggled to illuminate, but it was reduced to impotent blindness by the swift gusts of sleet crusting its panes.

In this half-darkness, the men began to come from their shelter-places and ma.s.s in front of the doors of charity.2 They were of all types, but the nationalities were mostly American, German, and Irish. Many were strong, healthy, clear-skinned fellows, with that stamp of countenance which is not frequently seen upon seekers after charity. There were men of undoubted patience, industry, and temperance, who, in time of ill-fortune, do not habitually turn to rail at the state of society, snarling at the arrogance of the rich, and bemoaning the cowardice of the poor, but who at these times are apt to wear a sudden and singular meekness, as if they saw the world's progress marching from them, and were trying to perceive where they had failed, what they had lacked, to be thus vanquished in the race. They were of all types, but the nationalities were mostly American, German, and Irish. Many were strong, healthy, clear-skinned fellows, with that stamp of countenance which is not frequently seen upon seekers after charity. There were men of undoubted patience, industry, and temperance, who, in time of ill-fortune, do not habitually turn to rail at the state of society, snarling at the arrogance of the rich, and bemoaning the cowardice of the poor, but who at these times are apt to wear a sudden and singular meekness, as if they saw the world's progress marching from them, and were trying to perceive where they had failed, what they had lacked, to be thus vanquished in the race.3 Then there were others, of the s.h.i.+fting Bowery element, who were used to paying ten cents for a place to sleep, but who now came here because it was cheaper. Then there were others, of the s.h.i.+fting Bowery element, who were used to paying ten cents for a place to sleep, but who now came here because it was cheaper.

But they were all mixed in one ma.s.s so thoroughly that one could not have discerned the different elements, but for the fact that the laboring men, for the most part, remained silent and impa.s.sive in the blizzard, their eyes fixed on the windows of the house, statues of patience.

The sidewalk soon became completely blocked by the bodies of the men. They pressed close to one another like sheep in a winter's gale, keeping one another warm by the heat of their bodies. The snow came upon this compressed group of men until, directly from above, it might have appeared like a heap of snow-covered merchandise, if it were not for the fact that the crowd swayed gently with a unanimous rhythmical motion. It was wonderful to see how the snow lay upon the heads and shoulders of these men, in little ridges an inch thick perhaps in places, the flakes steadily adding drop and drop, precisely as they fall upon the unresisting gra.s.s of the fields. The feet of the men were all wet and cold, and the wish to warm them accounted for the slow, gentle rhythmical motion. Occasionally some man whose ear or nose tingled acutely from the cold winds would wriggle down until his head was protected by the shoulders of his companions.

There was a continuous murmuring discussion as to the probability of the doors being speedily opened. They persistently lifted their eyes toward the windows. One could hear little combats of opinion.

"There's a light in th' winder!"

"Naw; it's a reflection f'm across th' way."

"Well, didn't I see 'em light it?"

"You did?"

"I did!"

"Well, then, that settles it!"

As the time approached when they expected to be allowed to enter, the men crowded to the doors in an unspeakable crush, jamming and wedging in a way that it seemed would crack bones. They surged heavily against the building in a powerful wave of pus.h.i.+ng shoulders. Once a rumor flitted among all the tossing heads.

"They can't open th' door! Th' fellers er smack up agin 'em."

Then a dull roar of rage came from the men on the outskirts; but all the time they strained and pushed until it appeared to be impossible for those that they cried out against to do anything but be crushed to pulp.

"Ah, git away f'm th' door!"

"Git outa that!"

"Throw 'em out!"

"Kill 'em!"

"Say, fellers, now, what th' 'ell? G've 'em a chance t' open th' door!"

"Yeh d.a.m.n pigs, give 'em a chance t' open th' door!"

Men in the outskirts of the crowd occasionally yelled when a boot-heel of one of the trampling feet crushed on their freezing extremities.

"Git off me feet, yeh clumsy tarrier!"bb "Say, don't stand on me feet! Walk on th' ground!"

A man near the doors suddenly shouted: "O-o-oh! Le' me out-le' me out!" And another, a man of infinite valor, once twisted his head so as to half face those who were pus.h.i.+ng behind him. "Quit yer shovin', yeh"-and he delivered a volley of the most powerful and singular invective, straight into the faces of the men behind him. It was as if he was hammering the noses of them with curses of triple bra.s.s. His face, red with rage, could be seen, upon it an expression of sublime disregard of consequences. But n.o.body cared to reply to his imprecations; it was too cold. Many of them snickered, and all continued to push.

In occasional pauses of the crowd's movement the men had opportunitiesto make jokes; usually grim things, and no doubt very uncouth. Nevertheless, they were notable-one does not expect to find the quality of humor in a heap of old clothes under a snowdrift.

The winds seemed to grow fiercer as time wore on. Some of the gusts of snow that came down on the close collection of heads cut like knives and needles, and the men huddled, and swore, not like dark a.s.sa.s.sins, but in a sort of American fas.h.i.+on, grimly and desperately, it is true, but yet with a wondrous under-effect, indefinable and mystic, as if there was some kind of humor in this catastrophe, in this situation in a night of snow-laden winds.

Once the window of the huge dry-goods shop across the street furnished material for a few moments of forgetfulness. In the brilliantly lighted s.p.a.ce appeared the figure of a man. He was rather stout and very well clothed. His beard was fas.h.i.+oned charmingly after that of the Prince of Wales.4 He stood in an att.i.tude of magnificent reflection. He slowly stroked his mustache with a certain grandeur of manner, and looked down at the snow-encrusted mob. From below, there was denoted a supreme complacence in him. It seemed that the sight operated inversely, and enabled him to more clearly regard his own delightful environment. He stood in an att.i.tude of magnificent reflection. He slowly stroked his mustache with a certain grandeur of manner, and looked down at the snow-encrusted mob. From below, there was denoted a supreme complacence in him. It seemed that the sight operated inversely, and enabled him to more clearly regard his own delightful environment.

One of the mob chanced to turn his head, and perceived the figure in the window. "h.e.l.lo, look-it 'is whiskers," he said genially.

Many of the men turned then, and a shout went up. They called to him in all strange keys. They addressed him in every manner, from familiar and cordial greetings to carefully-worded advice concerning changes in his personal appearance. The man presently fled, and the mob chuckled ferociously, like ogres who had just devoured something.

They turned then to serious business. Often they addressed the stolid front of the house.

"Oh, let us in fer Gawd's sake!"

"Let us in, or we'll all drop dead!"

"Say, what's th' use o' keepin' us poor Indians out in th' cold?"5 And always some one was saying, "Keep off my feet."

The crus.h.i.+ng of the crowd grew terrific toward the last. The men, in keen pain from the blasts, began almost to fight. With the pitiless whirl of snow upon them, the battle for shelter was going to the strong. It became known that the bas.e.m.e.nt door at the foot of a little steep flight of stairs was the one to be opened, and they jostled and heaved in this direction like laboring fiends. One could hear them panting and groaning in their fierce exertion.

Usually some one in the front ranks was protesting to those in the rear-"O-o-ow! Oh, say now, fellers, let up, will yeh? Do yeh wanta kill somebody?"

A policeman arrived and went into the midst of them, scolding and berating, occasionally threatening, but using no force but that of his hands and shoulders against these men who were only struggling to get in out of the storm. His decisive tones rang out sharply-"Stop that pus.h.i.+n' back there! Come, boys, don't pus.h.!.+ Stop that! Here you, quit yer shovin'! Cheese that!"bc When the door below was opened, a thick stream of men forced a way down the stairs, which were of an extraordinary narrowness, and seemed only wide enough for one at a time. Yet they somehow went down almost three abreast. It was a difficult and painful operation. The crowd was like a turbulent water forcing itself through one tiny outlet. The men in the rear, excited by the success of the others, made frantic exertions, for it seemed that this large band would more than fill the quarters, and that many would be left upon the pavements. It would be disastrous to be of the last, and accordingly men with the snow biting their faces writhed and twisted with their might. One expected that, from the tremendous pressure, the narrow pa.s.sage to the bas.e.m.e.nt door would be so choked and clogged with human limbs and bodies that movement would be impossible. Once indeed the crowd was forced to stop, and a cry went along that a man had been injured at the foot of the stairs. But presently the slow movement began again, and the policeman fought at the top of the flight to ease the pressure of those that were going down.

A reddish light from a window fell upon the faces of the men when they, in turn, arrived at the last three steps and were about to enter. One could then note a change of expression that had come over their features. As they stood thus upon the threshold of their hopes, they looked suddenly contented and complacent. The fire had pa.s.sed from their eyes and the snarl had vanished from their lips. The very force of the crowd in the rear, which had previously vexed them, was regarded from another point of view, for it now made it inevitable that they should go through the little doors into the place that was cheery and warm with light.

The tossing crowd on the sidewalk grew smaller and smaller. The snow beat with merciless persistence upon the bowed heads of those who waited. The wind drove it up from the pavements in frantic forms of winding white, and it seethed in circles about the huddled forms pa.s.sing in one by one, three by three, out of the storm.

ENDNOTES.

THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE.

1 (p. 1) (p. 1) The Red Badge of Courage: The Red Badge of Courage: The book was first published in 1894 in a greatly abridged version by a newspaper syndicate that included the Philadelphia Press, the New York Press, and hundreds of other dailies across the nation. D. Appleton and Company published the full version in book form in 1895. The book was first published in 1894 in a greatly abridged version by a newspaper syndicate that included the Philadelphia Press, the New York Press, and hundreds of other dailies across the nation. D. Appleton and Company published the full version in book form in 1895.

Chapter I.

2 (p. 3) (p. 3) an army stretched out on the hills: an army stretched out on the hills: The time is late April 1863, on the eve of the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Army of the Potomac occupies the north bank of the Rappahannock River near Falmouth, Virginia, where it has been encamped since its defeat in the Battle of Fredericksburg the previous December. Abraham Lincoln has just placed Major General Joseph ("Fighting Joe") Hooker in command. The Union's opponent during the battle is the Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of Robert E. Lee. Hooker's forces total about 135,000; Lee's, about 59,000. The time is late April 1863, on the eve of the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Army of the Potomac occupies the north bank of the Rappahannock River near Falmouth, Virginia, where it has been encamped since its defeat in the Battle of Fredericksburg the previous December. Abraham Lincoln has just placed Major General Joseph ("Fighting Joe") Hooker in command. The Union's opponent during the battle is the Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of Robert E. Lee. Hooker's forces total about 135,000; Lee's, about 59,000.

3 (p. 3) tall soldier: One of Crane's more significant ma.n.u.script revisions prior to publication involved replacing names of significant characters with epithets (characteristic words or phrases), a choice that reinforces the imagistic qualities of the novel and the universality of its characters. Here he subst.i.tutes "tall soldier" for Jim Conklin. Other significant epithets at the onset include "the youth" for Henry Fleming and "the loud soldier" for Wilson. (p. 3) tall soldier: One of Crane's more significant ma.n.u.script revisions prior to publication involved replacing names of significant characters with epithets (characteristic words or phrases), a choice that reinforces the imagistic qualities of the novel and the universality of its characters. Here he subst.i.tutes "tall soldier" for Jim Conklin. Other significant epithets at the onset include "the youth" for Henry Fleming and "the loud soldier" for Wilson.

4 (p. 3) division headquarters: During the battle for Chancellorsville, the Union command structure was organized as follows: Hooker's Army of the Potomac consisted of seven infantry corps, each commanded by a major general, and one cavalry corps. Each infantry corps was subdivided into three divisions, usually commanded by a brigadier general. Each division had three or four brigades, commanded by a , colonel or a brigadier general, along with artillery support. The brigade had from four to six regiments, each headed by a colonel or lieutenant colonel. At the beginning of the Civil War, each regiment was designed to have 1,000 men divided into ten companies, each with a captain in charge; in later years, however, new recruits were formed into new regiments rather than sent to existing regiments as replacements for men lost in battle and for other reasons. Because of such organizational peculiarities, historians estimate that by May 1863 the average size of a Union regiment had fallen to 530. Nevertheless, since Fleming's regiment consists of recruits, it likely is manned at full strength, with approximately 100 men in his company, about 80 of them privates. (p. 3) division headquarters: During the battle for Chancellorsville, the Union command structure was organized as follows: Hooker's Army of the Potomac consisted of seven infantry corps, each commanded by a major general, and one cavalry corps. Each infantry corps was subdivided into three divisions, usually commanded by a brigadier general. Each division had three or four brigades, commanded by a , colonel or a brigadier general, along with artillery support. The brigade had from four to six regiments, each headed by a colonel or lieutenant colonel. At the beginning of the Civil War, each regiment was designed to have 1,000 men divided into ten companies, each with a captain in charge; in later years, however, new recruits were formed into new regiments rather than sent to existing regiments as replacements for men lost in battle and for other reasons. Because of such organizational peculiarities, historians estimate that by May 1863 the average size of a Union regiment had fallen to 530. Nevertheless, since Fleming's regiment consists of recruits, it likely is manned at full strength, with approximately 100 men in his company, about 80 of them privates.

5 . (p. 5) a Greeklike struggle: Fleming's initial misconceptions about war are formed in part from a romantic misreading of The Iliad, by Homer. . (p. 5) a Greeklike struggle: Fleming's initial misconceptions about war are formed in part from a romantic misreading of The Iliad, by Homer.

6 (p. 8) (p. 8) conversed across the stream: conversed across the stream: Because the Confederate Army had occupied positions just south of the Rappahannock since January, friendly exchanges between opposing sentries were common. Because the Confederate Army had occupied positions just south of the Rappahannock since January, friendly exchanges between opposing sentries were common.

7 (p. 10) the cavalry: Two weeks prior to the battle, Hooker dispatched most of his cavalry corps on an independent mission to disrupt Confederate communication lines, a move that most historians agree was a tactical blunder. (p. 10) the cavalry: Two weeks prior to the battle, Hooker dispatched most of his cavalry corps on an independent mission to disrupt Confederate communication lines, a move that most historians agree was a tactical blunder.

Chapter II.

8 (p. 13) (p. 13) a blue demonstration: a blue demonstration: Crane repeats this phrase several times in the novel, changing its implied meaning in each occurrence. Here it obviously represents Fleming's frustration with pointless parading. Later the phrase suggests more ominous symbolic consequences for the "mob" of men that he must move with. Crane repeats this phrase several times in the novel, changing its implied meaning in each occurrence. Here it obviously represents Fleming's frustration with pointless parading. Later the phrase suggests more ominous symbolic consequences for the "mob" of men that he must move with.

9 (p. 14) (p. 14) the colonel on a gigantic horse: the colonel on a gigantic horse: This officer is likely the commander of Fleming's regiment. The image Crane creates is reminiscent of an image Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) describes in "A Horseman in the Sky," a story in This officer is likely the commander of Fleming's regiment. The image Crane creates is reminiscent of an image Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) describes in "A Horseman in the Sky," a story in Tales of Soldiers and Civilians Tales of Soldiers and Civilians (1891). (1891).

10 (p. 16) (p. 16) come around in behind the enemy: come around in behind the enemy: Hooker's plan called for a "double envelopment," dividing his infantry forces into two wings that would attack Lee's army from different directions. The right wing was to cross the river 20 miles west of Falmouth and then head back east to flank the Confederates, a 40-mile forced march in all. The left wing crossed the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg. Both groups were to converge on Chancellorsville. Hooker's plan called for a "double envelopment," dividing his infantry forces into two wings that would attack Lee's army from different directions. The right wing was to cross the river 20 miles west of Falmouth and then head back east to flank the Confederates, a 40-mile forced march in all. The left wing crossed the Rappahannock near Fredericksburg. Both groups were to converge on Chancellorsville.

11 (p. 18) "they've licked us":The Confederacy had won the majority of battles up to this point, including the Union's humiliating defeat at Fredericksburg in December 1862. Lee, however, did not have the men or resources to exploit these victories. (p. 18) "they've licked us":The Confederacy had won the majority of battles up to this point, including the Union's humiliating defeat at Fredericksburg in December 1862. Lee, however, did not have the men or resources to exploit these victories.

12 (p. 19) (p. 19) Napoleon Bonaparte: Napoleon Bonaparte: In the middle of the nineteenth century, Napoleon Bonaparte represented to the average American soldier not only military genius but also complete mastery of the battlefield. Here Crane highlights how little an infantryman knows about the tactics and strategy of a campaign. In the middle of the nineteenth century, Napoleon Bonaparte represented to the average American soldier not only military genius but also complete mastery of the battlefield. Here Crane highlights how little an infantryman knows about the tactics and strategy of a campaign.

13 (p. 20) (p. 20) "I'll bid five.... Seven goes": "I'll bid five.... Seven goes": The men are probably playing a version of the card game whist. Bidding "seven" means the speaker will try to take all thirteen tricks. The men are probably playing a version of the card game whist. Bidding "seven" means the speaker will try to take all thirteen tricks.

Chapter III.

14 (p. 21) (p. 21) very good s.h.i.+rts: very good s.h.i.+rts: Remember the care Fleming's mother put into the making of his s.h.i.+rts. Their discarding here symbolically refutes her vision of what war demands of soldiers, which had previously helped to shape her son's erroneous conceptions. Crane imitates a long literary tradition of veterans confronting a civilian reader with his or her misconceptions about combat. Remember the care Fleming's mother put into the making of his s.h.i.+rts. Their discarding here symbolically refutes her vision of what war demands of soldiers, which had previously helped to shape her son's erroneous conceptions. Crane imitates a long literary tradition of veterans confronting a civilian reader with his or her misconceptions about combat.

15 (p. 22) (p. 22) not not a a brigade: brigade: The length of the regiment's column not only indicates its inefficiency and inexperience but also symbolizes the disunity among the men, thus rendering the "blue demonstration" a mob. The length of the regiment's column not only indicates its inefficiency and inexperience but also symbolizes the disunity among the men, thus rendering the "blue demonstration" a mob.

16 (p. 23) (p. 23) skirmishers: skirmishers: Skirmishers moved in advance of the main body of troops to scout out enemy positions and strength. Skirmishers moved in advance of the main body of troops to scout out enemy positions and strength.

17 (p. 25) (p. 25) "No "No skulking'll skulking'll do here": do here": Note how Fleming's psychological skulking here goes against his mother's admonitions about "s.h.i.+rking." Note how Fleming's psychological skulking here goes against his mother's admonitions about "s.h.i.+rking."

18 (p. 25) (p. 25) cathedral light of cathedral light of a a forest forest: This is the initial image that reflects Crane's fusing of nature and spirituality in the novel. It antic.i.p.ates the secluded grove that the deserting Fleming comes upon in chapter VII, "a place where the high, arching boughs made a chapel." Chapter VIII opens with trees as they "began ... to sing a hymn of twilight."

Chapter IV.

19 (p. 29) 'G' Company: Companies in a normal regiment were designated by letters from A through K, skipping over the letter J. (p. 29) 'G' Company: Companies in a normal regiment were designated by letters from A through K, skipping over the letter J.

20 (p. 29) "Hannises' batt'ry (p. 29) "Hannises' batt'ry is took" is took": Each Union infantry division had from two to four artillery batteries in support.

21 (p. 29) (p. 29) "when we go inteh "when we go inteh action": The date for the 304th's first experience under enemy fire is May 2, 1863.The "304th New York" is Crane's invention. The highest-numbered regiment from New York that partic.i.p.ated in the battle of Chancellorsville was the 157th. The 304th's battle episodes correspond to events experienced by several actual regiments, suggesting that Crane conflated a number of accounts into one cohesive narrative. We learn from the "cheery" soldier in chapter XII that Fleming's regiment is "in th' center," which suggests that it belonged to either the Third Corps under the command of Major General Daniel E. Sickles or the Twelfth Corps under Major General Henry W Sloc.u.m. The 304th's forced march up to this point is consistent with Sloc.u.m's orders for his troops. Its redeployment in chapter XVI, however, corresponds with Sickles's attempt to sh.o.r.e up the right wing on May 3. In chapter V, Fleming hears a battle raging to his left; on May 2, Sloc.u.m's division was positioned to the left of Sickles's. In "The Veteran," a short story that chronicles Fleming as an old man, Crane uses the suggestive phrase "Sickles's colt." Crane would have been very familiar with the long, colorful career of the notorious New York politician and Civil War hero Dan Sickles. action": The date for the 304th's first experience under enemy fire is May 2, 1863.The "304th New York" is Crane's invention. The highest-numbered regiment from New York that partic.i.p.ated in the battle of Chancellorsville was the 157th. The 304th's battle episodes correspond to events experienced by several actual regiments, suggesting that Crane conflated a number of accounts into one cohesive narrative. We learn from the "cheery" soldier in chapter XII that Fleming's regiment is "in th' center," which suggests that it belonged to either the Third Corps under the command of Major General Daniel E. Sickles or the Twelfth Corps under Major General Henry W Sloc.u.m. The 304th's forced march up to this point is consistent with Sloc.u.m's orders for his troops. Its redeployment in chapter XVI, however, corresponds with Sickles's attempt to sh.o.r.e up the right wing on May 3. In chapter V, Fleming hears a battle raging to his left; on May 2, Sloc.u.m's division was positioned to the left of Sickles's. In "The Veteran," a short story that chronicles Fleming as an old man, Crane uses the suggestive phrase "Sickles's colt." Crane would have been very familiar with the long, colorful career of the notorious New York politician and Civil War hero Dan Sickles.

In the Third Corps, the Second Brigade of the Second Division was composed of five New York veteran and new regiments. The Second Division's leader, Major General Hiram G. Berry, was killed, similar to what is reported about the fictional 304th's division commander in chapter XXI. Another interesting point that Crane knew about from articles in the Century was that Hooker had ordered that corps badges be worn on all uniforms. The badge worn by the First Division of the Third Corps was suggestively a red diamond. (The Second Division wore white diamond badges.) Given all this, it is possible that Crane came up with the number 304 by adding the numbers of four New York regiments in the Third Corps (the 40th, the 70th, the 74th, and the 120th; or the 40th, the 71st, the 73rd, and the 120th), which would numerically symbolize the c.u.mula tion of the infantry's experience during the battle. In chapter XXI, we learn that the name of the colonel in charge of the 304th is MacChesnay.

For a different a.s.sessment of how occurrences in the novel correspond to events at Chancellorsville, see Harold R. Hungerford, " 'That Was at Chancellorsville' : The Factual Framework of The Red Badge of Courage," American Literature Badge of Courage," American Literature 34 (1963), pp. 520-531. 34 (1963), pp. 520-531.

Chapter V.

22 (p. 33) "You've (p. 33) "You've got to hold 'em back!": got to hold 'em back!": In a bold, calculated stratagem, Lee had dispatched the bulk of his troops under the command of Lieutenant General Thomas J. ("Stonewall") Jackson on a daring maneuver to surprise Union forces from the west-in essence, outflanking Hooker's flanking maneuver. To divert attention from Jackson's clandestine deployment, the remaining Confederate forces under Lee periodically engaged the Union center on May 2, where the fictional 304th had been deployed. Thus, despite the regimental commander's histrionics here, this initial confrontation was only a diversionary action and was not where the brunt of the battle was to be fought that day. In a bold, calculated stratagem, Lee had dispatched the bulk of his troops under the command of Lieutenant General Thomas J. ("Stonewall") Jackson on a daring maneuver to surprise Union forces from the west-in essence, outflanking Hooker's flanking maneuver. To divert attention from Jackson's clandestine deployment, the remaining Confederate forces under Lee periodically engaged the Union center on May 2, where the fictional 304th had been deployed. Thus, despite the regimental commander's histrionics here, this initial confrontation was only a diversionary action and was not where the brunt of the battle was to be fought that day.

23 (p. 34) (p. 34) the question of his piece being loaded: the question of his piece being loaded: Fleming and his regiment were armed with muskets, probably either the Model 1861 Springfield (manufactured in the United States) or the Enfield (imported from England). An experienced infantryman could reload and fire within thirty seconds. Fleming and his regiment were armed with muskets, probably either the Model 1861 Springfield (manufactured in the United States) or the Enfield (imported from England). An experienced infantryman could reload and fire within thirty seconds.

Chapter VI.

24 (p. 43) a (p. 43) a general of division general of division: Quite possibly "Grandpa Henderson," the division general later reported killed in chapter XXI.