Part One, Chapters 11-15 Summary

In Chapter 11, arriving in Richmond, Lee meets with the Governor of Virginia. He is given command of Virginia's provisional army, though it is expected that this force will merge with a larger army made of forces from all of the southern states. It is made clear that the politicians expect Lee to not only establish a line of defense, but to attack the northern forces.

In Chapter 12, we are introduced to Lewis Armistead, an old friend of Hancock's. Together they are informed that the war has begun and their commanding officer, general Johnston is resigning to fight for the confederacy and recommends that others do the same. The list of states seceding continues to grow until Armistead is forced to pick sides and decides he will go south, while Hancock is decidedly for the north. Johnston comes...