Called upon to take a hill at the 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, the 22nd Michigan Infantry—untested in combat—fought valiantly, helping to save the Union right commanded by General George H. Thomas. From its formation in 1862 to its last train ride home, the 22nd confronted slavery and African-American runaways in the border state of Kentucky and encountered near starvation during the siege of Chattanooga. It helped to build bridges and buildings and marched to Atlanta as General Thomas’ provost guard.

This narrative traces the 22nd’s day-to-day experiences in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, including many unique towns and cities. It tells of the struggles to supply and feed the volunteer unit, while facing death during battle and disease in camp and in Confederate prisons. Farm boys, shopkeepers, school teachers and lawyers, these volunteers from the Great Lakes region formed one of many units that answered the call for the Union’s preservation. Those who came home were never the same, after thousands of miles traveled by foot and railroad cattle car. Just as the war transformed the lives of these men, this story will leave the reader will a better understanding of their hardship and sacrifice.