Prologue and Part 1, June 21, 1861: Chapters 1-4 Summary

This book takes place during the Civil War. The idea for the book is based on a letter written by General James Longstreet during the war that claims the Confederacy had a hot air balloon that was made from the last silk dresses in Richmond. Although these claims cannot be substantiated, the author has found some evidence that the Confederacy did in fact have several balloons through the course of the war.

In the Prologue, Susan has gone with her father to his place of business, Tredegar Iron Works, to watch what was supposed to be a peaceful rally in the aftermath of shots fired on Fort Sumter. However, the rally becomes violent and Susan's father is injured when he picks up the American flag from where some men threw it after replacing...