# Bill Smithers — The Red Badge of Courage character guide

> Bill Smithers in The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Bill

**First appearance:** 0003-iv

## Who they are

A soldier who is wounded and carried to the rear during battle.

## Relationships

### [Henry Fleming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/henry_fleming)

_social_

Bill Smithers is a minor acquaintance in Henry's regiment, mentioned in passing without significant emotional weight.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned in a rumor as having his hand crushed and refusing amputation.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned by a soldier who wishes he had trod on Bill Smithers' hand instead of the other way around.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxiv)

Mentioned in the soldiers' conversation as having described the horrors of the hospital.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/bill_smithers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters