Part One, Chapters 16-19 Summary

In Chapter 16, Hancock arrives in Washington a few weeks after the Battle of Bull Run. Even though the southern army won the battle they had not pursued their advantage. General George McClellan, commander of the US army calls Hancock into his office and tells him Lincoln has called for seventy-five thousand troops, then promotes him from Captain to Brigadier General. Both armies, north and south, lack the organization and training to fight the war immediately and so fall and winter pass without another fight.

In Chapter 17, it is now April of 1862. President Davis, the Secretary of War and Lee are all in disagreement with General Johnston, the commander of the Confederate Army. The Union Army has divided into two branches, one attacking from the James River in the east and another attacking over land from the north...