 Appleton published two, possibly three, printings in 1895 and as many as eleven more in 1896.Although some critics considered the work overly graphic and profane, it was widely heralded for its realistic portrayal of war and unique writing style.The "Detroit Free Press" declared that "The Red Badge" would give readers "so vivid a picture of the emotions and the horrors of the battlefield that you will pray your eyes may never look upon the reality."