Shadrach Smith was 75 years old, in 1915, when asked to tell his story to the young reporter from Harpers. He was reluctant, but the reporter persevered. But it wasn't the story the reporter came to hear.
Finding Shadrach in New Orleans near the outbreak of the war, 1860, he was fortunate to be a guest of a wealthy man who had a lovely and mysterious daughter named Suzanne.
But he wasn't from New Orleans, and was trying to be objective about the war. Being somewhat educated, he sought employment as war correspondent for folks back home. His job led him into the shadowy world of intrigue. And after the battle of Shiloh it was even to faraway Britain. It was here he found the climax of his story.