Baptism of Fire

In the fall of 1864, the American Civil War was three and a half years old. Over half a million soldiers were already dead, and the war dragged on with cruel impunity. That autumn the beautiful hills and valleys of Middle Tennessee bore witness to the last great campaign of the war, one that ultimately helped to decide its outcome. At Franklin a fateful and vicious battle would be fought, one that remained seared in the minds of those who managed to survive it. In the midst of its awful fury were three regiments of United States soldiers who had never before been in combat. These men from Missouri and Ohio played key roles in helping to decide the conclusion of the battle, and never before has their story been fully understood or explained. Baptism of Fire is a detailed and compelling look at these long forgotten regiments, with much emphasis on the men who composed them. Much more than a battle history, this book relates the individual stories of the soldiers who left their homes to fight for what they believed to be right and how they ended up at a place called Franklin.