Captain Jinks, Hero · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Captain Jinks, Hero by Ernest Howard Crosby.
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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.