The Burial of the Guns

"The Burial of the Guns" by Thomas Nelson Page is a historical fiction that explores the challenging period following the Civil War, looking at the deep emotional and social changes that soldiers face when they must give up the fight and go back to being civilians. The book starts by showing us characters like the old Colonel and his soldiers, who are having a hard time dealing with feelings of pride, responsibility, and the confusion of losing their identities after the war. The story centers on the Colonel and his group of soldiers stationed at a mountain pass after the war has ended, and they have to accept that General Lee has surrendered. The Colonel must make the tough choice of how to keep their guns from being taken, thinking about all the strong friendships that were formed during the war. The beginning of the story shows the Colonel's strong sense of duty and his bond with his soldiers as they get ready to bury their guns to protect their legacy. The soldiers are sad about what's happened to them but are also determined to stick to the values they fought for, even in this new post-war world.