Captivity, daring escape, and a soldier’s unyielding resolve.
This memoir follows Captain John Kellogg’s extraordinary Civil War journey from battlefront to Confederate prisons, then to freedom and return. It blends vivid battlefield scenes with the peril and ingenuity of a dramatic escape, delivering a firsthand account of resilience under pressure.
In a brisk, readable style, the pages recount the Iron Brigade’s campaigns, the moments of capture, the tense escape from a moving train, and the risky trek toward Union lines. The narrative then turns to the challenges of safe return, the help of loyal Home Guards, and the warmth of soldiers who would not let a comrade fall back into danger. The book also reflects on the larger arc of Kellogg’s career and the toll of war on those who lived it.
What you’ll experience
- A ground-level view of Civil War nights, prisons, and escapes
- A close look at camaraderie, leadership, and quick decisions under pressure
- Tense, real-time descriptions of pursuit, concealment, and travel toward safety
- Personal reflections on duty, resilience, and the costs of war
Ideal for readers who enjoy true accounts of war, survival, and the grit of soldiers who endured captivity and found their way home.