The Captured Scout of the Army of the James A Sketch of the Life of Sergeant Henry H. Manning, of the Twenty-fourth Mass. Regiment

"The Captured Scout of the Army of the James" by H. Clay Trumbull is a late 19th-century account that pays homage to Sergeant Henry H. Manning of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment. Manning's story is one of youthful enlistment spurred on by deep patriotism and faith and follows his experiences of intense battles to the extreme hardships as a prisoner of war, notably in places like Andersonville. It’s a tale of his daring escape attempts, relentless pursuit by bloodhounds, and his battle for life amid terrible circumstances; through it all, he holds strong to his faith and his promise to country and God. Even after liberation, the commitment to a promise, made in the darkest of times, ultimately leads to a decline, and untimely death. The book celebrates courage, reflecting on themes of love, sacrifice, and faith in the face of war's brutal realities.