At 16-years-old, Jeff Bussey, the novel’s protagonist, decides to enlist in the Union army and fight in the Civil War. Although he makes the decision to do so after his family is attacked by Confederate bushwhackers, Jeff has dreamed about becoming a soldier for most of his life. When he joins the army, he believes that war will be an adventure and cannot wait to participate in a battle. Jeff is an earnest person and a hard worker, whose sense of ethics and morality hinges on honor, duty, and benevolence. Although he quickly learns that life as a soldier is not as romantic as he imagined, he never considers trying to abandon his commitment. Jeff submits to authority when he believes that the authority figure has honorable intentions but will disobey and accept punishment to avoid violating his principals.

Over the course of the war, Jeff rises from infantry to cavalry, becomes a spy across enemy lines, and finishes the war as a sergeant. Even when posing as a Confederate soldier, Jeff resolves to be the best soldier he can. While living with the rebel soldiers, Jeff feels compassion for them, even considering remaining with them rather than returning to the Union army with information that will affect the outcome of the war.