Fleeing Ireland to escape England’s iron-fisted rule in the mid-1800s, young Martin Shannon survives a rugged voyage to New York. Along the way he accepts responsibility for the fates of a 15-year-old girl and a bewitching seven-year-old orphan named Lily. Together they struggle to reach Dubuque, Iowa. Eventually Martin joins the Union Army and sets off to help free the world of slavery. After months of non-stop fighting, he finds himself in the deep south embroiled in the Battle of Spanish Fort, the last major battle of the Civil War. Severely wounded during the fight he’s left for dead on the battlefield as the Union forces sweep back north. Martin’s life takes on the challenge of survival as he finds himself under the care and protection of a loving family, a mysterious swamp doctor and her strange dog. After months of recuperation he sets off walking on a 900-mile journey north to find his way back home.
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