The Revolutionary War has torn apart eleven-year-old Teddy’s family. His father is a Patriot, his mother a Loyalist. Problems at home lead to Teddy’s enlistment. He mistakenly joins the wrong unit of the State Garrison Regiment and enters a whole new world of men and boys leaving Williamsburg, Virginia, for the relief of Charleston, South Carolina. As a member of the fifes and drums, Teddy contends with old enemies and forges new loyalties. Marching at night, the regiment clashes with the British at the Battle of Camden in August 1780.

Teddy advanced with the others. His legs quivered with each step, but he knew he must go forward. The soldiers would be listening for the calls of the fifers and drummers to tell them what to do. A volley of rifle fire swept the regiment. In the moonlight, Teddy saw Colonel Porterfield careen backwards and fall. Still, they moved forward. Teddy heard a roar as loud as thunder followed by a terrible burning sensation on the side of his head. He staggered. Josh grabbed him, cushioning his fall. Teddy reached up and felt hot blood streaming from his head. The last thing he heard was the corps sounding Retreat.