Seventeen year old Augustus DuBois is called upon, withhis local militia members, to help stop the Rebel secessionat the fi rst battle of Bull Run. When this fails, the war beginsto stretch out and Augustus decides to extend his enlistmentto try to help fi nish the task. At the siege of PetersburgAugustus and two of his companions are captured and sent tothe Andersonville prison. Here he sees and experiences mansinhumanity to man regardless of which side he is on. He hearsthe quandry of the prison commander whose calls for aidfall on deaf ears. After escaping the prison, Augustus and hiscompanions join general Shermans forces on the infamousMarch to the Sea. The war ends and after some serious soulsearching, Augustus makes a decision that sends him back intothe South. The book explores the issues of responsibilty andchain of command and whether the victors can set the rulesand write the history.
