Shot and Shell reveals the American Civil War through the eyes of the Artillerymen who fought in that conflict. The story follows M Company, 2nd United States Artillery Regiment through the early pre-war postings and campaigns, through the dissolution of the Union to the first great battle. No other work links the development of the evolutionary Model 1857 Napoleon gun with the first unit to possess and test this venerable piece of artillery. The Napoleon gun would dominate the battles of the Civil War.