The Red Badge of Courage - Chapter 16

Abstract -
Henry and the regiment were moved into a trench to relieve some other men that had been there for a long time. His friend falls asleep as soon as they get there, and when he awakes they discuss the generals over the loud sounds of artillery in the near distance. His friend thinks that they have been fighting as hard as they can, but they just haven't had enough luck to win a battle. Henry thinks it's the generals' fault and calls them stupid. A sarcastic man interrupted Henry and asked if he thought he fought the whole battle himself the day before. Henry realized that he couldn't be so loud if he doesn't want people to question him, and he becomes modest. They march into the forest and Henry starts arguing with his friend again, complaining about how they don't even know why they march all over the place, always running from the rebels only to get defeated in battle. His friend said it would all turn out okay in the end, but Henry wasn't convinced. Before he could go on, a sergeant yelled at the two younger boys. He told them they'd have all the fighting they wanted soon enough and that they should just shut up. Then there were gunshots that lit up the area around the regiment. The men stood ready yet almost unwilling to fight.

Response -
Henry doesn't have the experience that some of the other soldiers have, but he constantly is complaining or thinking negatively about the war. He never thinks they'll win and has little faith in his leaders. Even when his friend tries to calm him down and tell him it will eventually be okay, he doesn't listen. He says they don't have any luck and they're destined to lose. Why does he have such a negative mindset? He hasn't been a part of enough battles to think so pessimistically about the outcome of the war. I think the death of Jim and seeing other men fight and run ruined his spirits in a way. Although he didn't necessarily go into the war prepared or excited, it seems his motivation to fight drops everyday.

Questions -
After Henry decides to become more humble, why does he continue to complain and make a scene?