This novel is not a true war story but is a story of people during the early Civil War period in a remote mountain area of Virginia, and is primarily an attempt to portray how the people of the area were affected by the war. The local battles are, however, included in considerable detail. Specifically, the story deals with young Kane Tyler, son of a farmer; Claire Sommers, his girl friend; and her sister Jane. Also involved are the members of Kane's family and the other members of Claire's family; a beautiful redhead, Alice Kyne, who is a Confederate spy; young Tim Kelley whose invalid father is murdered; Kane's friend, Edward Sloane; Edward's mother Mary, and his brother Jim, who is totally unscrupulous but determined to win Claire Sommers in marriage.