Serjeant Musgrave

Serjeant Musgrave, also known as Black Jack, is the complex leader of a small band of army deserters. He spearheads a violent and doomed initiative to condemn British colonialism in the hometown of a fallen comrade. Musgrave embodies both a prophetic visionary and a madman, driven by a quiet, self-righteous anger that he attempts to govern with a strict adherence to order and logic. Despite his aloofness, he commands the loyalty and respect of his men, remaining humorless, tough, acrid, and severe. His spiritual blindness leads him to grossly miscalculate the impact of his bloody plan, which ultimately fails. Musgrave's attempt to showcase the negative aspects of army life is fueled by his desire to avenge the deaths that haunt him. His mental instability becomes apparent when he unveils a plan to massacre twenty-five townspeople. Musgrave’s descent into madness culminates in his imprisonment, leaving him fearful that his message will be forgotten.

Private Sparky

Private Sparky, the youngest and most volatile of Musgrave's men, masks his insecurity with a flurry of songs, chatter, and card tricks, often irritating his companions. Sparky had a close connection with the deceased Billy Hicks, and his jealousy is piqued when Annie, a barmaid, initially prefers Hurst over him. Despite facing rejection, Sparky is the only soldier who offers Annie genuine kindness, leading them to plan an elopement. Tragically, his attempt to defect results in his accidental death at the hands of Attercliffe and Hurst. Annie later reveals Sparky's fate at a pivotal moment, using his death as a powerful symbol during the play’s climax.

Private Hurst

Private Hurst, presenting as more mature and dedicated than Sparky, is characterized by his handsome and vain demeanor. Though he distrusts Musgrave’s piousness, he follows him for self-serving motives. As an atheist and an anarchist, Hurst is unfazed by violence and ready to fire upon the crowd after Musgrave hesitates. His actions ultimately dissolve the threat to the townspeople, although he is killed by the dragoons during the play's climax. While adhering to Musgrave's orders, Hurst harbors doubts about their mission and initially rejects Annie's advances, despite being seen as the most attractive of the soldiers.

Private Attercliffe

Private Attercliffe stands as the oldest soldier at approximately fifty years old and is a self-proclaimed cuckold. Less volatile than his comrades, he serves as a stabilizing force within the group. Attercliffe genuinely believes in Musgrave’s cause and follows his directives while opposing unnecessary killing. Ironically, he accidentally kills Sparky, which deeply devastates him and spurs him to urge Musgrave to reconsider their plan. Attercliffe’s steadfast refusal to kill signifies his role as Musgrave’s conscience, leading to his ultimate imprisonment alongside Musgrave.

Joe Bludgeon

Joe Bludgeon, also known as The Bargee, is a hunchbacked and cunning barge man infamous for creating intrigue for its own sake. He is obsequious to town dignitaries and possesses an unerring instinct for self-preservation. Like a morality vice figure, he manipulates situations without accepting responsibility. The Bargee views Musgrave and his mission with contempt, motivated solely by financial gain or attention. Ultimately, he betrays the soldiers by turning a gun on Musgrave to claim credit for their capture.

Annie

Annie, a barmaid at Mrs. Hitchcock's pub, is known for her directness and tarnished reputation. Her past involvement with Billy Hicks, with whom she had a child that died shortly after birth, marks her character deeply. Although initially drawn to Hurst and rebuffed by him and Attercliffe, she finds solace in Sparky. Annie comprehends Musgrave's fixation on truth and reveals Sparky's fate at a critical juncture, using his death as the play’s symbolic climax.