# the officer — The Red Badge of Courage character guide

> the officer in The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the officer, an officer

**First appearance:** 0004-v

## Who they are

A mounted officer who delivers orders and comments on the regiment's performance.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Henry interacts with the officer as a subordinate, often feeling the officer's condescension and the impersonal nature of military command.

### [the general](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/the_general)

_professional_

The general and the officer share a hierarchical military relationship, with the general issuing commands and the officer relaying them.

### [the colonel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/the_colonel)

_professional_

The colonel and the officer interact within the military hierarchy, exchanging orders and reports.

### [Tom Jamison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/tom_jamison)

_professional_

The officer interacts with Tom Jamison in a command or logistical context during battle.

### [Tom Jamison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/tom_jamison)

_professional_

The officer interacts with Tom Jamison in a command or logistical context during battle.

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

_professional_

Henry interacts with the officer as a subordinate, often feeling the officer's condescension and the impersonal nature of military command.

## In the story

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

A mounted officer rages like a spoiled child during the retreat; the lieutenant of the youth's company is shot in the hand.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/v)

The lieutenant of Henry's company pommels a fleeing soldier and forces him back into the ranks.

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

An officer on a bounding horse who gives orders to the artillery, causing the battery to scamper away.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/viii)

An officer carried by two privates, peevish and bellowing at the crowd, who is mocked by the wounded.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xii)

A young officer on a besplashed charger nearly runs Henry down during the chaos.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xvii)

The lieutenant who praises Henry's ferocity, calling him a 'war devil' and expressing a desire for ten thousand like him.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xviii)

An officer who rides like a cowboy and refers to the 304th as 'mule drivers,' indicating their expendability.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xix)

An officer who looks like a boy on horseback gallops and waves his hat to start the charge.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xx)

A red-bearded officer with a voice of triple brass commands the men to shoot; Henry harbors hatred toward him for calling the men 'mule drivers.'

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxi)

The general who reproaches the colonel for the regiment's failure to advance further.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxii)

The officer who called the men 'mule drivers' and 'mud diggers'; Henry seeks revenge against him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/the_officer
- 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