Everything else around him is too loud.

He wants to help the South win. 

He wants to set Farquhar up.  

 He wants a job building a new bridge.

He wants to disrespect his commandant.

it is symbolic of war.

it is ironic after he seems to escape. 

it is expected since he had obviously been in the wrong.

it was not a surprise due to all the foreshadowing.

the work of a blacksmith down the road

a drummer keeping time for military drills

the ticking of his watch

the sound of his blood thumping in his ears

devotion to the Southern cause

an immediate need to protect his plantation

curiosity about what the soldier told him

to make a deal with the Union soldiers

People often stand to gain much by taking foolish risks.

War makes men cruel and indifferent to human life.

Soldiers must follow orders regardless of their personal feelings.

Whatever can go wrong probably will.