Part II: Chapters Fourteen through Twenty-Seven Summary

Chapter fourteen, "Letter from Corporal Catesby Byrd to his Wife, Leona," is written from Camp Bartow, Virginia, on September 16, 1861. Catesby says that he and Duncan are well, urges Leona to stay at Stratford with her family for security, and asks that she talk to her mother about getting Samuel to write to Duncan, saying that he believes Duncan is ready to reconcile. In chapter fifteen, "Cousin Molly," Sallie is forced total silence as are all prisoners. She sees Alexander daily but they are forbidden to speak at all. Sallie is called for a visitor and finds Abigail's Cousin Molly has soap, cheese and other minor gifts, along with a promise to visit again.

In chapter fifteen, "Bullwhip Days," Jesse has come to imagine that Maggie loves him, though she didn't prior to being...