# Wilson — The Red Badge of Courage character guide > Wilson in The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the loud soldier **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot The loud soldier who brags about dying gloriously, then quietly hands his letters back to Henry the night before battle. ## Who they are Wilson begins as the regiment's blowhard, predicting a bloody end for himself and everyone else with theatrical certainty. When the shooting nears, he seeks Henry out to reclaim the private letters he had entrusted, his flushed face betraying a shame he cannot name. That small reversal turns him from a foil into a companion, and his later steadiness gives Henry a yardstick for what change under fire actually looks like. ## Relationships ### [Henry Fleming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/henry_fleming) _friendship_ Henry and Wilson start as casual acquaintances but develop a strong, supportive bond through shared combat and mutual respect. ### [the colonel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/the_colonel) _professional_ The colonel addresses Wilson as a soldier under his command, with Wilson occasionally receiving direct orders. ### [Henry Fleming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/henry_fleming) _friendship_ Henry and Wilson start as casual acquaintances but develop a strong, supportive bond through shared combat and mutual respect. ### [Henry Fleming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/henry_fleming) _friendship_ Henry and Wilson start as casual acquaintances but develop a strong, supportive bond through shared combat and mutual respect. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/i) The loud soldier, another veteran whose stories Henry finds unreliable. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/ii) The loud soldier expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming battle and argues with Henry about running away. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/iii) The loud soldier, complains about sore feet and short rations during the rapid march. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/iv) Not directly mentioned in this chapter. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/v) The loud soldier is mentioned as babbling with a soft, tender monologue during the fight. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xiii) The loud soldier who warmly greets Henry, tends to his wound, and gives him his blanket and canteen. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xiv) Shows tenderness and care for Henry, has undergone a remarkable change from a loud soldier to a quietly confident and peacemaking man. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xv) Wilson appears meek and embarrassed, asking for the return of his packet of letters, and suffers shame. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xvi) Henry's friend, who sleeps deeply in the trenches, then trudges wearily during the retreat. He offers calm, fatalistic reassurances that 'it'll turn out all right in th' end.' ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xvii) The friend who speaks calmly about being driven into the river and later checks on Henry's well-being after the battle. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xviii) Henry's friend, who obtains permission to fetch water and later helps spread the news of the impending charge. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xix) The friend of the youth; he fires an angry shot to awaken the men and joins Henry in grabbing the flag from the fallen color sergeant. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xx) Approaches Henry with a sense of farewell, scuffles over the flag, and supports Henry in the retreat. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxi) Grievance over the general's reproach; shares in the praise from the colonel and lieutenant for his role in the charge. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxii) The lieutenant continues to curse and lead the men, returning with new oaths. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxiii) Henry's friend, jubilant and glorified, captures the enemy flag and celebrates with Henry. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/chapters/xxiv) Henry's friend who notices Henry's distress and asks 'What's the matter, Henry?' He also comments on the movement of the army. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_badge_of_courage_se/characters/wilson - 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