After the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln asked for more volunteer soldiers to defend the Union. Included in the 360,000 Pennsylvanians who volunteered, a young man named James B. Thompson enlisted in Company G, Elk County Rifles, 42nd Regiment in Perryville, more popularly known as the Bucktail Regiment.

This book, written by Emma Gavazzi, takes readers through Thompson’s harrowing experiences while serving with the Bucktails. From fighting in some of the most memorable battles in American history to becoming a prisoner of war, escaping incarceration, and venturing to find his way home, James B. Thompson experienced and recorded a plethora of transformative and cathartic events. As readers follow his journey, they will also learn more about the minute details of the Civil War, which are brought to the forefront by Miss Gavazzi. Readers will not be disappointed in learning more about this courageous man and the invaluable fight of the Union soldiers as a whole.

James B. Thompson is a name that should be remembered- not just because he truly is a local hero, but also because he is the prime example of resiliency.