The Blue and the Gray; Or, The Civil War as Seen by a Boy A Story of Patriotism and Adventure in Our War for the Union

"The Blue and the Gray; Or, The Civil War as Seen by a Boy" by Annie Randall White is a historical novel that tells the story of a young boy named Ralph who faces difficult choices during the American Civil War. Witnessing the start of the war in 1861, Ralph struggles with his Southern roots and his desire to fight for the Union, eventually joining the army with his mother's conflicted blessing. Ralph's journey shows the bond of soldiers and the difficulties of war as he learns about bravery, loyalty, and the harsh realities of conflict, making him grow up quickly in the midst of a divided nation.