Beyond the River

April and May 1863 turning-point summer of the Civil War. In the East Lee's greatest victory Chancellorsville sets up the crushing defeat at Gettysburg. In the West everyone knows a Union attack is coming on Vicksburg fortress city of the Mississippi River. But when? And where?</p><P> Suddenly Union cavalry descends on the state like angry bees. Enraged Confederates racing behind them wily Union cavalrymen led by Colonel Benjamin Grierson are here destroying supplies--no they're there half the state away blowing up trains--no they're... Where <I>are</I> the rude bastards? </p><P> The Confederates are kept so busy haring after Grierson's ghosts that they leave the fortress city virtually unguarded--always a mistake when U.S. Grant is prowling nearby.</p><P> Bart Willoughby--new lieutenant from New York besotted by Olivia trying to stay two pages ahead of his men in Hardee's <I>Tactics</I>--is thrust along with the rest of the Union raiders into the middle of this turbulence.</p><P> Novices at riding and killing the raiders struggle through Mississippi along the way gaining experience confidence and a dash that will either carry them through to safety or get them killed before they can push beyond the last river still in Rebel hands.</p>