Moral existence?

I think you ask an excellent question. For Crane, the development of Henry as a character/individual is of paramount importance and his decisions are representative of his personal challenges and indecisions. having the novel set in a war makes the decision hold more moral weight and, therefore, they seem more stark. It is easy to have morals in a vacuum, but when faced with they reality of death, choices are often made that cannot be simply placed into the normal dichotomy of right vs. wrong.