Over a year has passed since the Civil War erupted, leaving Peter Brenton and the Army of Northern Virginia wearied, broken, and seemingly disillusioned from their invasion into Maryland. They had visions of a quick, easy resolution to the differences between the states, but that dream now has been laid in the grave of the past.As the Union and Confederate armies follow each other's movements on the opposite sides of the Rappahannock River, the two forces come head to head at the small, quiet community of Fredericksburg. With Richmond only a few dozen miles away, Peter knows that they cannot fail to stop the Union advance. If they would be defeated there, the war would be over in a matter of weeks-but at even greater cost to his home of Virginia. Yet despite his fellow soldiers' and his own loyalty to their homeland, Peter doubts whether their ragged condition will be able to withstand the Northern onslaught. Outnumbered, underfed, and poorly supplied, they seem to be little match for the Federal army that now opposes them. Will their dogged, Confederate determination be enough for them to hold their position? And with situations beginning to change in his personal life, will he even be able to subject his full attention to that task?