Wilson (the loud young soldier, the youth's friend) Character Analysis

Wilson is a new volunteer and Henry's closest friend in the regiment. He begins as a brash and confident soldier, but by the start of the first battle Wilson is deeply afraid that he'll die. Because of the narrator's limited point of view, Wilson disappears from the story while Henry is away from his regiment, but he too matures through personal conflicts. From being a "loud young soldier," Wilson becomes a quiet, generous, and reflective man. Like Henry, Wilson eventually fights fiercely, selflessly, and well. In the novel, Wilson serves as a reflection of Henry. His differences from Henry add perspective to Henry's character and experience.