I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires »

Robert Glover, who first appeared in the Christy Award-winning William Henry is a Fine Name, is now seventeen years old and the Civil War has begun. When Robert's father leaves to help the Union, Robert reluctantly promises not to enlist until he turns eighteen. But soon his cousin Emily asks him in a letter to help his estranged, ailing mother, as well as Emily's father Albert, who has been wounded and imprisoned at Fort Delaware.

In his attempt to help Albert, Robert unwittingly becomes a pawn of a Confederate escape plan. Angry and ashamed, he works his way south to his mother and Emily, only to discover that his mother has become mentally unstable. But time is short as Sherman's march of destruction through the Carolinas promises to bring Union troops directly to their door. As Robert leads the group toward safety, the bonds between Emily and himself are strengthened. Robert must come to terms with his mother and his own responsibilities before God.

Tamara Butler - Library Journal

In this excellent Civil War sequel to the Christy Award-winning William Henry Is a Fine Name, Robert Glover is now 17 years old. Although he promised his father not to join the Union Army until he became of age, circumstances force Robert to head for the war. He must also cope with his mother's growing mental illness and rely on his own faith to carry him through his trials. Gohlke's attention to authentic period detail and well-drawn, engrossing characterizations distinguish this outstanding historical novel, and the first-person narrative will draw readers into Robert's gripping life and adventures. Equally appropriate for adults and teens, this is highly recommended for all collections. Gohlke formerly worked as a school librarian.