He became not a man but a member. He felt that something of which he was a part - a regiment, an army, a cause, or a country - was in crisis. He was welded into a common personality which was dominated by a single desire.

With thoughts of valor on his mind, a young man - barely past the age of manhood - enlists with the Union Army during the American Civil War. When he finally arrives at his first battle, fear and doubts of his own bravery invade his thoughts as he readies himself for combat. When the fighting intensifies, the young private turns and runs away. Ashamed of his cowardice, he continues forward in his duty to his country and looks to atone for his cowardice with a combat wound, also known as a red badge of courage.