History records a great deal about ante-bellum southern life. General Sherman's march to the Sea is an indelible part of history. Yet, there is a chapter of that era that has gone by unnoticed even to the point that there is a story that needs to be told. In the Appalachian Mountains of Northern Georgia there was a surprising amount of sentiment felt for the Union. There were Confederate military units created called "Home Guards" with the purpose of removing these elements of Union support. This was the setting for conflict. There were many skirmishes between Federal Cavalry and the Home Guards. Also, the novel gives insight into life of that little known region. Included are details about making whiskey, hunting and trapping, the essentials of survival. There is a story of one such unit led by a man that turned his command into lawless criminals that were no better than common horse thieves. This character provides a psychology subplot of human nature when not restrained by the 'rule of law'.