Why did the author describe the officer's changing moods and actions at the end of Chapter 6?

The lieutenant suddenly jumps, red-faced, in front of Henry, attempting to keep him there. He swings with his sword. Henry simply continues to run blindly. He falls a few times. As he runs, he sees others running alongside him and hears more fleeing footsteps behind him. He is convinced the regiment is fleeing, chased by the crashing shells. This shows that even the officers are thrust into the chaos of battle: they are just as disoriented and terrified as the soldiers.