After the great losses of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, the Confederacy called a large conscription of men and boys from 16 to 50 years of age. Young Stephen Whitlock and his brother John were eligible for conscription. But their father a top sergeant in an Alabama Cavalry unit had other ideas...""Boys, I come to git yall. They have called another conscription and both of you are of age. I'll not have some Tom Fool of a General, like Bragg git yall kilt. You'll ride with me. Now, git yer extry socks and a shirt, yore momma is fixin yall a bed roll apiece. I'll equip ya when we git to camp. Now git ta doin, we got miles to ride." With that, a smile, a hug, a prayer and a fare thee well from the girls, John and I became Confederate cavalrymen, but not regular cavalrymen. We were told we were Partisan Rangers..."