16-year-old Jeff is anxious to join the ranks of the Union forces to fight the rebels. He is tired of feeling helpless, and the last attack on his family proves that there is no one to help them. With heavy hearts, the boy’s parents agree to let him go, since Jeff’s father is unable to do it.
Jeff’s initial excitement dies as soon as he learns what exactly the daily routine of a soldier is. Growing animosity between him and Captain Asa Clardy doesn’t make the young soldier’s life easier, and the worst thing that he can’t protect himself while the captain clearly abuses the power.
To his utter disappointment, Jeff misses his first battle, for he has been sent on a mission to find one of the officers. When he finally returns, the young man finds the Union troops are disorganized and destroyed. That is when Jeff realizes how merciless fate could be. Young boys of his age are killed or deadly wounded, some of them got legs and arms amputated. Jeff feels sick when he looks at the scene around him. However, the Kansas boy gets used to it over time as well as he gets used to the military life.
However, there are some things that he refuses to put up with. Jeff doesn’t find any pleasure in robbing and torturing civilians, what is more the young man is kind to everyone he meets, for he understands that even the rebels are not who he thought them to be. They are people who – just like him – protect their families and fight for their future and happiness. That realization leads to the predictable consequences: Jeff starts fighting for his and the enemy’s side. He even finds love among his so-called enemies.
During one his numerous undercover missions Jeff learns the truth about Asa Clardy: the captain is a contrabandist. He has been selling new rifles to the Indians since the beginning of the war. That is why there is a terrible lack of weapon in the army. He manages to run away from both the Watie and Clardy men, and later issue a report on the corrupt officer. Jeff almost gives up on his life when he is being found by Noah Babbit.
The war ends and Jeff gets not only a promotion but a chance to come back to his family. Four long years have passed since he saw them and, finally, he returns home.
