Kincaid's Battery

"Kincaid's Battery" by George Washington Cable is a historical novel set in Louisiana during the Civil War, telling the story of people connected to a new artillery unit and how their lives change. The book introduces Hilary Kincaid, a captain, and Anna Callender, a woman with complicated feelings. The story begins in New Orleans, where General Brodnax thinks about his family, especially Anna, and wants her to marry Hilary to protect the family's future. The book explores the conflict between what society expects and what people want for themselves, touching on themes of love, responsibility, and the coming war. The first part of the story sets up the relationships and emotional challenges that will grow as the story moves forward.