In the early 90s, I read this 1957 novel in school. It's about a young boy who, through various adventures, ends up fighting for the North and then South.

It's not too surprising that, even in the 90s, my teachers assigned a novel that sought to humanize the southern causes.
Our town claimed a proud tradition of being in the Confederacy, our firetrucks (all 2!) had the Confederate flag on the sides until 2010.
There are secession plaques throughout my town.

Two oddities:
- The town claimed to have no rejoined the until until Jan 1946
- The town is in Western NY, about 30 miles from the city of Buffalo.


