The 115th New York began as part of the largest surrender of U.S. troops before World War II and ended as part of the largest successful amphibious landings of U.S. troops before World War II. In between, its odyssey through the American Civil War is unique among Union regiments. Not only did it fight mainly in theaters and battles unknown to all but the most seriously well informed, but it endured mass arrest and a conspiracy of its own officers against its commander. In earning distinction as one of "Fox's Fighting 300" Union regiments, the 115th fought in campaigns along the Southern coast, joined briefly in the famous combat between Grant and Lee in Virginia, fought alongside African American units, witnessed the liberation of thousands of slaves and captured Union soldiers, and ended up with William T. Sherman's western army.

The soldiers of the 115th New York were common men from Saratoga County, the Mohawk Valley, and Adirondack Mountain areas of New York State. The author uses the words and recollections left by 67 of these men and a great amount of source material; the result, states National Park Service historian John J. Hennessy, is "Truly exceptional...both excellent history and engaging narrative."