The Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western Crisis

"The Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western Crisis" by Joseph A. Altsheler is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book is part of a series centered on the American Civil War, focusing specifically on the events and battles in the Western theater. The story follows the experiences of Dick Mason, a young lieutenant serving in the Union army, as he navigates the complexities of war, loyalty, and personal growth against the backdrop of significant historical battles, including the Battle of Chickamauga. The opening of the novel introduces readers to Colonel Winchester and his regiment, who are cautiously navigating through the heavily forested and marshy territories of Mississippi. As they ride, the young lieutenants, including Dick Mason, engage in conversation about their surroundings and concerns about ambushes, particularly from the notorious Confederate cavalry leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. The narrative quickly shifts to an unexpected ambush by swarms of mosquitoes, symbolizing the harsh and unpredictable nature of warfare in the region. As they press on, the troop eventually encounters an enemy spy—Victor Woodville, the son of the plantation owner—which leads to a personal conflict between him and Dick. Their encounter develops into a physical fight, encapsulating the emotional turmoil of the war and foreshadowing larger conflicts to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series:The Civil War Series The French and Indian War Series The Gold Series The Great West Series The Texan Series The World War Series The Young Trailers Series