The following question references the novel The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.
When Henry returns to the regiment, he explains that he received a bullet wound to the head so he won't have to admit that he deserted in battle. How do you think the soldiers would have reacted had he told them the truth now that they had all been involved in fighting? Do you think the fact that Henry returned would have made them more understanding or more likely to punish him?
In "The Red Badge of Courage," Henry Fleming grapples with his own feelings of cowardice and morality after fleeing from battle. The reactions of the soldiers to Henry's return with a falsified tale of his "wound" could be considered through the lens of the complex camaraderie and moral codes within the army during the Civil War.
Given the way Crane depicts the soldiers and the era's emphasis on bravery and honor, the soldiers' reactions to Henry admitting he deserted might have been harsh and unforgiving, especially considering that desertion was considered one of the gravest sins a soldier could commit in times of war. His comrades, many of whom faced their fears and stood their ground or even sustained real injuries, might have felt betrayed or angry that Henry failed to do his part when they relied on each other for support and survival in battle.
However, the fact that Henry returned could have mitigated their judgement. Returning after having fled would require a considerable amount of bravery and suggests a sense of duty and responsibility that could be respected by his comrades. The presence of visible combat, such as a chaotic retreat or heavy losses, might also affect the soldiers' responses, potentially increasing their understanding of fear and the instinct to flee. If Henry showed genuine remorse and a willingness to fight courageously after his return, it's possible that some soldiers would empathize with his initial fear and accept him back into the ranks, particularly if they had experienced similar fears themselves.
In a more pragmatic sense, the regiment might have been more focused on survival and success in battle than exacting punishment on a soldier who temporarily faltered but ultimately returned to face the enemy. The immediacy of battle and the need for all able-bodied soldiers might supersede the desire to chastise one of their own, especially if Henry proved himself as a reliable soldier upon his return.
Overall, it's likely that Henry's reception would have been a mix of disappointment or distrust from some and reluctant understanding or acceptance from others, depending on individual soldiers' experiences and the culture of the specific regiment. Crane's novel, though fictional, offers readers an insightful look at the psychological struggles faced by soldiers, the weight of societal expectations about masculinity and courage, and the complexities of human behavior in extreme circumstances.