"Using a massive array of firsthand accounts, Kirkwood re-creates the sprawling XI Corps hospital complex and the people who labored and suffered there--especially George and Elizabeth Spangler and their four children, who built a thriving 166-acre farm only to witness it nearly destroyed when war paid them a bloody visit that summer of 1863"-- Provided by publisher.

The Spanglers stayed -- An early start on the suffering -- In the middle of it all -- Restless nights (Ruch report no. 1) -- The Hovey family -- The medicine and sanitation -- A sunrise walk -- The artillery reserve to the rescue -- Pvt. George Nixon III -- Day 2 at the hospital (Ruch report no. 2) -- The granite schoolhouse hospital -- July 3, 1863 (Ruch report no. 3) -- Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Armistead -- July 4, 1863 (Ruch report no. 4) -- The Barlows at Spangler -- Nurse Rebecca Lane Pennypacker Price -- Gerrit Smith, Joseph Heeney, and Nurse Price -- Charity pours in (Ruch report no. 5) -- The Spangler surgeons (Ruch report no. 6) -- After the fight (Ruch report no. 7) -- The other Spanglers (Ruch report no. 8) -- What happened to the Spanglers -- A tour of the farm today.