Chapter 21

Abstract: When they were done pushing the enemy back, they headed back to camp. The other soldiers who hadn't fought made fun and taunted the returning soldiers. Only one person said anything out of the returning regimen. He challenged them to fist fights. The red- bearded officer just kind of glared at them. The lieutenant was also angry and just stared at the trees. Henry was also angry ans cursed them under his breath. The regiment then turns from the direction in which they came. Henry realizes that they really had not gone that far. He thinks of all the different emotions and feelings that fit into such a small area though. He could then see why they were taunted by the others. He kind of was embarrassed by his fellow soldiers who collapsed on the ground from exhaustion. He then remembers how he preformed and is very proud of himself. The general that called them mule-drivers come. He is angry and yells at their leader that they didn't do enough and should have gone further. Their colonel replies calmly after contemplating replying angrily and says that they went as far as they could have. The general then leaves angry. The lieutenant who heard the conversation then says to the colonel that the general was wrong and they put up a good fight. Henry, Wilson, and the others then think back to what they did and say that they did a good job. They start to get angrier the longer they continue to talk. One soldier then starts to tell of a conversation he had heard between the colonel and the lieutenant. The colonel asked who the soldier was that was carrying the flag. The lieutenant says that it was Henry. He calls Henry as jimhickey which is a compliment. He also says how Wilson was at the front of the charge. The colonel then said that they deserved to be generals. Henry and Wilson were then happy and felt great affection for the colonel and the lieutenant.

Response: Henry is finally happy I feel because he got recognition for his actions as a soldier. He is finally viewed as someone brave and courage just like the soldiers he had always looked up to. Henry has become more confident in himself because he defends his actions. He knows he did a good job and should get recognized for it. It is nice to see Henry finally stand up for himself and believe in himself and know that he does do a good job. By Henry showing is confidence, he is becoming more of a man.