So Red the Rose

Young's novel of war coming to the Natchez region of Mississippi has long been considered one of the best of Civil War novels. If you would understand what was best in the Old South, its attitude toward life, you will find them here, glowing with that same vitality which was theirs in life. New York Times . Southern Classics Series.

"This is when Edward was seven," Agnes said, taking up a small photograph from the mantel and handing it to General Sherman. "That's his sister Lucy with him."
"The picture showed a little boy with long trousers of some light, finely-striped cloth, a black silk jacket, and a linen collar turned down and tied with cord and tassels. He rested his arm on a table with flowered cloth. Standing beside him was a little girl in a white dress to her ankles, with short, puffed sleeves and a sash of Roman silk. His eyes were large and looked straight at you with a sweet childish regard; her hair was parted in the middle and brushed smooth on her head; her eyes looked away, and the hands hung down at the sides against the little skirt.
"General Sherman held the picture, looking at it. "I always saw in Edward McGehee," he said, "hope for a gentleman and for a gallant soldier—in my mind's eye."