红色英勇勋章

小说以美国南北战争（1861一1865）为历史背景。
　　主人公亨利是一个农妇的独子。他怀着对战争的奇妙幻想，渴望过军队生活，不顾母亲的劝阻，参加了北方军（即联盟军）。
　　经过几个月平静的军营生活，部队奉命开往前线去作战。亨利这个从未听见过枪炮声的青年，第一次面临战斗，心情紧张，惶恐不安。激烈的战斗场面虽然对他有刺激性的引诱，但死亡的威胁在他心里发生着强烈的动摇作用。战场上的炮火声解除了他的矛盾心理，亨利勇敢地投入了战斗，但当遭到敌人（南方军士兵）突然袭击时，他惊恐万状，扔下枪枝，从阵地上逃跑了。当他听到北方军重又获胜的消息时，他悔恨不已。为了弥补这一过错，他冒着危险打听前方部队的消息，但不幸被从火线上溃退下来的一个士兵用枪托打伤了脑袋。一个过路的战士见他可怜，就把他送回到原来的兵团。
　　伙伴们见亨利负了伤，以为他在战斗中挂了彩，不仅不怀疑他是逃兵，反而敬佩他那种负伤不下火线的勇敢精神。可是亨利并未因此在良心上得到宽慰。他万分羞愧，暗暗下决心寻找立功机会。
　　接着，部队转移阵地。当冲锋被击溃，战士们都停止射击的时候，亨利还在一个劲地射击。他那种近似于疯狂的勇敢，立即使他成为英雄。亨利克服了对战争韵恐惧心理，忘却羞愧的往事，恢复了自信心。

He walked blindly through the grass.
The youth turned once to look at the riders and the awk-ward guns as the teams were whipped pastz.Then the youngsoldier cried out, "God！ Look！ He's running1"
Turning his head swiftly, the youth saw the tall soldierrunning, and at each step nearly falling, towards the bushes.At this sight his heart seemed to leap from his bodyLHemade a noise of pain.He and the young soldier followed.There was a strange race.
When he caught up with8 the tall soldier, he began to pleadwith all the words he could find."Jim——Jim——what are youdoing？——what makes you do this？——you'll hurt yourself."
There was firm purpose again in the tall soldier's face.He protested in a dull way, keeping his eyes fixed on somemysterious place ahead."No——no——don't touch me——leave me,alone——leave me alone——"
The youth, filled with terror and wonder at the tall soldier,began to question him."Where are you going, Jim7 Whatare you thinking about7 Where are you going7 Tell md,won't you, Jim？"
The tall soldier turned around, as if to face his enemies.In his eyes there was a great appeal.4"Leave me alone, can'tyou？ Leave me alone for a minute."
The youth stepped back, puzzled."Why, Jim," he said,"what's the matter with you？"