At first, Henry looks on the Civil War with distrust, as if it were some “play affair.” What happens to change his mind about the war, and encourage him to enlist?

Initially Henry feels that the time of the glorious war is over but then he begins hearing stories of valour in the Civil War. This stirs his patriotism Henry wants to be a hero and believes that the battlefield is the best place to prove himself. Although his mother tries to dissuade him, Henry pursues the illusion that war is masculine and exciting.