The Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western Crisis

"The Rock of Chickamauga: A Story of the Western Crisis" by Joseph A. Altsheler is a historical fiction novel highlighting the adventures of Dick Mason, a youthful Union army lieutenant, amid the turmoil of the American Civil War. Set against the backdrop of the Western theater, the story dives into themes of battle, allegiance, and personal development as it explores the events surrounding major battles like the Battle of Chickamauga. The opening introduces Colonel Winchester and his regiment as they cautiously progress through the Mississippi landscape where a discussion about an enemy ambush arises between Dick and his comrade. Unexpectedly, the men are overcome by a swarm of mosquitoes, showcasing the severe conditions of warfare. Finally, the regiment encounters Victor Woodville, the enemy, where we see Dick engage in a physical fight with him further enhancing the emotional conflicts to come.