Beginning with the spasms of secession in the Pelican State, Donald Frazier weaves a stirring tale of bravado, reaction and war as he describes the consequences of disunion for the hapless citizens of Louisiana and Texas.

Secession -- The Yankees are coming -- Behavior that would shame a Comanche -- Militia -- Total war -- Richard Taylor -- Plundering armies -- Bonnet Carré -- A Confederate army -- Sibley's Brigade -- Texas invaded -- Union offensive -- Georgia landing -- Beast Butler -- Nathaniel P. Banks -- Armies in the Gulf -- Cottonclads -- Galveston -- The turning tide -- What our friends may expect -- Two years after secession.