Lieutenant Harrison Elington’s life is driven to turmoil when he is faced with the realities and internal divisions of civil war upon his family and his nation. Harrison is married to Abigail Sumner Elington of Philadelphia, daughter of Senator Robert Sumner of Pennsylvania. She is a strong Union supporter despite her husband and youngest son fighting for the Confederacy. His eldest son fights for the Union in the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry. Lieutenant Elington is wounded at Malvern Hill, Virginia, in 1862, as he tries, through brave actions, to make a difference for his new commander General Robert E. Lee. He fights for the 26th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Company F. In the face of unending questions concerning his allegiance to the Confederate cause, Elington must make crucial decisions as an officer in the fight for Southern independence. He must decide if he will participate in a secret mission to Philadelphia after fighting in the first day’s battle at Gettysburg. He experiences the cruel realities of war and the horrible loss of friends on McPherson Ridge, west of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He wants to help General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia gain the recognition of the Peace Democrats and achieve an essential assault on the Union, leading to Northern recognition of the Confederacy.