This true Civil War tale of the winter after the Battle of Fredericksburg explains how enemies were brought together for a single night. As the two sides waited out the winter, music was ever present with songs to wake them up, announce breakfast and to get to work around the camp. Dixie was sung on both sides, with the Union using different words than the Confederate soldiers, until one evening all joined in singing “Home, Sweet Home.” Includes Civil War Note, The Song, Timeline, Bibliography, Quotation Source.

I liked this book because it conveyed information about the Civil War in a multitude of ways. First I liked that the author included quotes from soldiers on both the Union and Confederate sides. "My Dearest Wife....Alas! Will the good old times every return again?" It gave me a better glimpse into the hardships of the soldiers. I also liked that the author focused on music throughout the book. " 'Reveille' was the bugle blare that meant Wake Up!" The book also includes lyrics from the different songs such as "The Bonnie Blue Flag" sung by the South. I think music is often an untold part of the war. The Civil War was more than just guns and bloodshed, but a battle of human emotions through the ups and downs of the war. ( )