Why was the youth anxious to enter battle?

In Chapter 3, the youth is anxious to enter battle because he is inexperienced, nervous, fearful, and quickly losing faith in the officers he feels are doing things wrong. The following passage explains;

"The generals were stupids. The enemy would presently swallow the whole command. He glared about him, expecting to see the stealthy approach of his death. He thought that he must break from the ranks and harangue his comrades. They must not all be killed like pigs; and he was sure it would come to pass unless they were

informed of these dangers. The generals were idiots to send

them marching into a regular pen. There was but one pair of

eyes in the corps. He would step forth and make a speech.

Shrill and passionate words came to his lips."