This passage deeply resonates with the internal conflict faced by individuals caught in the moral ambiguity of war. The speaker expresses a profound disillusionment with the experience of combat, highlighting a visceral reaction to the notion of a "dead man" continuing to fight or flee, which is portrayed as both scandalous and irreligious. This evokes a strong sense of the unnaturalness and futility that war can embody. The phrase "made me sick at my stomach" powerfully conveys the physical and emotional toll that such realizations impose upon soldiers or anyone involved in conflict. It underscores the psychological burden and trauma that war inflicts, often challenging deeply held beliefs about honor, duty, and morality. The refusal to engage further with the war if this is its character reflects a critical moment of awakening or rejection, signaling a break from blind participation to critical introspection. This quote from Shelby Foote's "Shiloh" captures the human cost of war beyond the battlefield statistics — it reveals the spiritual and emotional consequences that ripple through those who expect nobility in battle but instead confront chaos and senseless struggle. Such reflections are vital reminders of the need to scrutinize the reasons and narratives behind conflicts and to acknowledge the profound suffering that extends far beyond physical wounds. In sum, this passage challenges readers to think about the nature of war, the weight of moral convictions, and the cyclical torment experienced by those forced to endure it.