Who is Private Otto Flickner from Shiloh: A Novel and what is their importance?

Private Otto Flickner is a cannoneer for the 1st Minnesota Battery. During the battle, Flickner seea several of his fellow soldiers killed, and after being forced to help relocate the canon several times, he becomes hopeless.

Following the lead of his fellow soldiers, Flickner simply stands up and walks away. He joins thousands of Union soldiers, who have taken refuge away from the fighting. Otto initially tells the other men that he didn't leave out of fear, but rather because he'd become "demoralized". He later comes to understand his desertion was something he couldn't live with and returns to duty.