Worthy Opponents tells the parallel stories of Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston and Union general William Tecumseh Sherman. Their armies clashed repeatedly, so it was only natural for these two commanding offers to become adversaries. Yet, as the war continued, Johnston and Sherman came to respect each other, eventually becoming close friends.

Hardee

The school of the soldier -- The brightest of the lot -- War and love -- Dead cock in a pit -- Two resignations -- Sleeping on a volcano -- The shock of battle -- Self-inflicted wounds -- Threats real and imagined -- "My God! We are attacked!" -- Recuperation and redemption -- Retaking the field -- "I am too late" -- War in earnest -- "I've got Joe Johnston dead!" -- A failure to communicate -- And fairly won -- Reunion in the Carolinas -- Epilogue: warriors in peacetime.