Character guide

Sam Jinks

major

Also known as Sam, little Sam, Jinks, old Jinks, Samuel, XVI The End Sam

A farm boy who outgrew his hometown Boys' Brigade at twenty-two and traded its white plume for a real cadetship, chasing glory with a lead soldier in his pocket.

Cleary

supporting

Also known as Cadet Cleary, Mr. Cleary, Meanwhile Cleary

Sam's fellow fourth-class cadet, assigned as a servant to a harsher upper-class man, who navigates academy humiliation with wary, practical advice for his friend.

The General

supporting

Also known as the general, The general

A high-ranking officer whose commands and campaigns shape the world Sam longs to enter, embodying the military glory the young hero has only imagined.

Smith

supporting

Also known as the faithful Smith, Cadet Smith

The upper-class cadet assigned to boss Sam at East Point, who lectures him on the rules of beast-hazing while quietly proving an easier master than most.

Carlos

minor

A character encountered during the Cubapines campaign, possibly a local ally.

Gomaldo

minor

Also known as poor Gomaldo

A character involved in the events in the Cubapines, likely a local figure.

Marian Hunter

supporting

Also known as Business Marian Hunter, Marian, Mary

Sam's sharp-willed fiancée, who tracks him to St. Lewis, witnesses his public kissing spree, and issues an ultimatum that reshapes his campaign and his life.

The Colonel

supporting

Also known as the colonel, The colonel, The Colonel

Sam's mild-mannered father, a farmer whose honorary title is his only military credential, who proudly pushes his son toward the army to justify the family name.

Jonas

minor

Also known as Mr. Jonas

A character who interacts with Sam Jinks, possibly a servant or local figure.

The Doctor

minor

Also known as the doctor, The doctor

A medical officer who treats wounds and provides advice.

Josh Thatcher

minor

Also known as Thatcher

A friend or fellow soldier of Sam Jinks, possibly from the academy.

Captain Jinks

major

Sam begins as a tenderhearted only child on a Homeville farm, grieving a pet rooster one day and drilling with a birthday box of lead soldiers the next. His two inherited traits — softness toward animals and an almost religious respect for authority — sit in uneasy tension, since the second keeps swallowing the first. That boyhood habit of obedience, planted so early, is the hinge on which his whole military career will turn.

Count von Balderdash

supporting

Also known as Balderdash, von Balderdash, Count

The Count moves through the story as a specimen of Old World nobility dropped into earnest American surroundings, all flourish and self-importance. His pomposity invites mockery, yet the title he carries gives him a foothold among people who take rank seriously. He matters because he tests the book's running question: whether inherited titles and military posturing mean anything at all.

Foster

minor

Also known as Captain Foster

A military officer, possibly a captain in the same regiment.

The Captain

minor

Also known as the captain, The captain

A generic captain, often referring to a commanding officer in scenes.

Captain Clark

minor

Also known as Clark, Somehow Clark

A military captain who serves alongside Sam Jinks.

Mr. Saunders

minor

Also known as Saunders

A civilian or officer who interacts with the cadets.

Reddy

minor

Also known as Mr. Reddy, old Reddy

An older character, possibly a servant or local figure.

Colonel Jinks

minor

Also known as the Jinks, Colonel

A senior Jinks family member, possibly Sam's father or uncle.

Tommy Atkins

minor

Also known as Tom

A common soldier figure, possibly a friend of Sam Jinks.

The Emperor

minor

A foreign emperor encountered during the Cubapines campaign.

Old Amen

minor

Also known as Amen

A religious or elderly figure who appears in the story.

George Jinks

minor

Also known as George, Uncle George Jinks, Uncle George

Sam Jinks's uncle, a family member who appears in the narrative.

Saunders

minor

Also known as Cadet Saunders

A cadet at the military academy.

Starkie

minor

A character mentioned in the story, possibly a soldier.

Major Stroud

minor

Also known as Stroud

A military major who commands troops.

Rev. Mr. Parker

minor

Also known as Mr. Parker

A clergyman who appears in the narrative.

General Laughter

minor

Also known as Laughter

A general with a humorous name, possibly a comic figure.

Canon Gleed

minor

Also known as Canon

A clergyman or canon who appears in the story.

Bludyard Stripling

minor

Also known as Stripling

A character with a distinctive name, possibly a soldier.

Mary Jinks

minor

Also known as Marian

A female relative or acquaintance of Sam Jinks, possibly his mother or sister.

Colonel James

minor

Also known as James

A military colonel who appears in the story.

Mr. Jackson

minor

Also known as Jackson, Here Mr. Jackson

A character who interacts with the main cast, possibly a local.

Mr. Jinks

minor

A male Jinks family member, possibly Sam's father.

Chung Tu

minor

A Chinese or foreign character involved in the later adventures.

Dr. Taylor

minor

Also known as old Taylor

A doctor who provides medical care in the story.

Joe Corker

minor

Also known as Corker, Joe

A fellow soldier or cadet, possibly a friend of Sam.

Burton

minor

Also known as Colonel Burton

A military colonel who appears in the narrative.

Señor Garcia

minor

Also known as Garcia

A Spanish or local character encountered in the Cubapines.

Private Jinks

minor

Sam Jinks when serving as a private soldier.

Miss Hunter

minor

A female character, possibly related to Marian Hunter.

General Meriden

minor

Also known as Meriden

A general who appears in the military storyline.

Cope

minor

Also known as the inventor Cope, Mr. Cope

An inventor who creates devices used in the story.

Admiral Hercules

minor

Also known as Hercules

A naval admiral involved in the military campaign.

Yankee Doodle

minor

Also known as Doodle

A character or mascot figure, possibly a horse or person.

Old Gory

minor

A character with a colorful name, possibly a soldier.

Old Blair

minor

Also known as Captain Blair, Blair

A captain or older military figure.

General Taffy

minor

Also known as Taffy

A general who appears in the later part of the story.

Old Miss Blunt

minor

An elderly female character who appears briefly.

General Gramp

minor

A general mentioned in the military context.

Mr. Tucker

minor

Also known as Tucker

A character who interacts with the main cast.

General Baluna

minor

Also known as Baluna

A foreign general encountered in the Cubapines.

Mrs. Jinks

minor

Sam Jinks's mother or a female Jinks family member.

Tom Slade

minor

Also known as Tom, Slade

A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a soldier.

Old Mrs. Crane

minor

Also known as Mrs. Crane

An elderly female character who appears briefly.

Mose

minor

A character mentioned in the story, possibly a servant.

Skinner

minor

A character who appears in the narrative.

V Slowburgh

minor

Also known as Slowburgh

A character associated with the town of Slowburgh.

Hero Jinks

minor

A title or nickname for Sam Jinks as a hero.

General Notice

minor

Also known as Notice

A general who appears in the later part of the story.

Captain Jones

minor

A military captain who appears briefly.

Keene

minor

A character mentioned in the narrative.

Lord Bobbets

minor

Also known as Bobbets

A lord or nobleman who appears in the story.

Sally Watson

minor

Also known as Sally

A female character who appears in the narrative.

Cadet Jinks

minor

Sam Jinks as a cadet at the military academy.

Davy Black

minor

Also known as Black, Dave Black

A character who appears in the story, possibly a soldier.

Squire Jones

minor

A local squire who appears in the narrative.

Old Folsom

minor

An older character who appears briefly.

Rev. Dr. Amen

minor

Also known as Dr. Amen

A clergyman with a doctoral title who appears in the story.