Daniel O. Root, from a small town in Central Illinois, enlisted in 25th Illinois Regiment in 1861, and served in Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. A man of strong anti-slavery sentiments, he supported emancipation and the war effort. While there are battle scenes, there are many more human interest stories. He recounts various encounters with civilians, such as freeing of an slave woman and her child, and also encounters with Confederates, including paroling Confererate prisoners and an encounter with a dying enemy soldier. He reflects upon what makes men go bravely into battle and the need to settle disputes without war.