Well-written, but given a high rating mainly for the new perspective on the Civil War. Many, in that part of the Confederacy anyway, preferred the Union but were forced, by peer pressure or threats of violence, to join the Confederate army. To prevent an uprising, the Confederates sent Arkansas troops to Texas and Louisiana and brought Louisiana troops to Arkansas. Many of these men switched loyalties as soon as opportunity presented itself. Baxter has nothing good to say about the Confederate cause but was willing to deal with individuals according to their worth.