Chapter 22 Summary and Analysis

Graves rejoined the 2nd Battalion near Bouchavesnes on the Somme. The Regimental doctor refused to allow Graves to rejoin combat, however, so Graves was assigned to the headquarters company. After a few weeks, Graves developed an abscessed tooth and performed a forty-mile round-trip horseback ride to have the tooth extracted. As part of the headquarters company, Graves became familiar with many cases of military justice, which was harsh. Deserters or those who exhibit cowardice were, if convicted, summarily executed. During one brief period, Graves was left in command of the Battalion. He attended a company attack planning meeting where he flatly denounced the proposed assault as suicidal; much to his amazement, the attack was called off. Some weeks later, Graves and another soldier went in search of some missing horses. Graves spent too many hours outside in the freezing temperatures and...