The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion

A teenage volunteer leaves a comfortable home to enlist with the Army of the Potomac and undergoes a series of personal adventures that chart the development of his patriotism. The narrative traces training, marches, camp life, and combat, depicting participation in engagements such as Bull Run, Williamsburg, and the Peninsula campaign, as well as capture, imprisonment, hospital recovery, and encounters with deserters and partisans. Episodes emphasize perils, privations, leadership under a young officer, and the everyday duties of picket and garrison service. The account blends action-driven incidents with sober reflections on duty, moral character, and the sacrifices required of ordinary soldiers.