This collection of letters and diaries provides glimpses into the lives of a diverse group of South Carolinians who participated in the War Between the States. The book draws from seventeen accounts collected from the archives of Winthrop University, offering firsthand perspectives on the conflict. Among the featured individuals are Emily Harris, who managed a family farm during her husband's absence; Captain Obadiah Hardin, who died in Virginia early in the war; and Augustus Franks, a German immigrant fighting for the Confederacy. These documents aim to give voices and faces to the experiences of those involved in the war.

The book is presented as a valuable collection of primary source materials offering direct insight into the experiences of South Carolinians during the Civil War. The inclusion of diverse voices, from those managing farms to soldiers on the front lines, suggests a comprehensive look at the war's impact. The use of letters and diaries collected from university archives indicates a focus on authentic, personal narratives. This approach likely appeals to historians and readers interested in the human element of the conflict.