Exposition Henry Fleming the main character is a member of the Union army in the 304th regiment. Along with Jim Conklin and Wilson they are alerted that they will be reporting to battle the next day. Henry who always dreamed of being a war hero and glorified in battle, can't imagine the idea of himself fighting the next day has a flashback about his mothers disapproval to his enlistment. She makes it a point for him to not do anything she wouldn't want to see or hear to keep him safe and out of trouble. However it was all false rumors and many soldiers question whether or not they will see battle as they are given the orders to march onward. Inciting moment When Henry confronts Jim about whether or not he would flee the battle. Henry is then relieved that he is not the only person questioning his bravery. Henry still fears what he will do when battle finally comes, and whether he will function as a soldier or flee and desert his comrades. Rising Action Jim in a rush wakes Henry as crackles of gunfire roar in the background. As the 304th regiment presses forward Wilson believes that he will die in this battle and hands Henry a yellow envelope that is to be delivered to his family if he doesn't make it out alive. After a cease fire the enemy regiment soon fires upon Henry and his regiment as they return fire. Soon Henry sees the fighting go almost instinctively and portrays himself as a single cog in a machine just firing, reloading and firing in a rhythm of rage that overtakes him. Soon after the enemy retreats and Henry and his fellow comrades congratulate each other and cheer. Soon after the night the enemy makes a surprise charge on Henry's regiment. Soon one by one Henry's fellow soldiers begin to retreat and Henry follows in fleeing the battle. However in the midst of Henry's retreat he hears word of the enemy retreating again and victory is at hand. Which leads Henry to marching through the woods all by his lonesome encountering a decaying corpse that makes him question his morals and courage. After trenching through the forest alone he encounters some wounded soldiers and assists a tattered man who is wounded. They walk together away from the battlefield to the field hospitals in the rear. The tattered soldier is friendly but his ordinary questions annoy Henry because he did not fully participate in the battle and is shamed by his own selfish actions. While walking they encounter the tall soldier (Jim) and Henry tries to aid him. Jim talks about the battle, but begins to lose the battle for his own life. He walks into a field denying help from Henry and succumbs to his wounds, and dies. Henry upset with his desertion is angered internally and makes his way toward the battlefield, abandoning the tattered soldier. Climax The climax occurs when Henry finally proves himself in battle. While charging against Confederate forces Henry breaks off from the main line and charges ahead with Wilson and try to grab a foot hold in the forest line. WHile there the flag bearer for the Union forces is shot and falls to the ground. Henry grabs the flag from the falling soldier and waves it in battle. Although Union forces are forced to retreat due to intense rebel fire Henry and Wilson carriers the flag back as a symbol of their regiments resolve. THe general is angered with their performance which annoys the regiment including Henry and WIlson. However they hear that the commander said that they were the best soldiers of the regiment and an inspiration. Later on Henry carriers the flag on yet another charge where the conclusion the end of the story will take place. Falling Action The falling action is when Henry finally realizes that he is but a part of a massive military machine and comes to terms with himself. He fights bravely rather than fleeing and finaly matures into a man. He still regrets his earlier actions but realizes that they were important for him to develop and that he has made up for it in battle. Henry and Wilson both young, mature, overcome their fears, and change due to the circumsatnces and brotherhood of war.
