People in Culpepper, Virginia in January 1861 are mostly content with their lives. However, Lincoln has just been elected and it is feared that after his inaugeration, things will be different.

Will Brannon, age 30, is the sheriff of Culpepper County. He has four brothers and a sister. They live on a farm with his widowed mother, Abigail.

As the war started, the family reminded me of the family in the 1965 movie, Shenandoah, with Jimmy Stewart. This was also a family that tried to live peacefully before the Civil War, they were farmers, mostly males and God fearing.

The three Fogarty brothers are low-life criminals. They are a particular thorn in the side of Will as he attempts to get enough evidence to arrest them for their crimes.

When the war begins, Will is one of the first to enlist. Since he was a sheriff and has a horse, he is made a captain.

The story tells of the universal enthusiasm and optimism for the war, even from the local preacher. None of the hardships or terrible days ahead are even imagined.

We follow Will and his men as they come under Brigadier General Stonewall Jackson adn their first action nears.

I enjoyed the story and remembering the days that led up to the start of the war. Will Bannon is an enjoyable character and the book provided an easy read and was entertaining. It would be particularly interesting to those who enjoy historical events about the start of the Civil War. ( )

I really enjoyed this story. I like the fact that this author used a family to write about the Civil War. This way we see the impact it has on this one family as well as the nation as a whole. This book was so good that I can hardly wait to read the next one. ( )