Would you risk your life to save your mortal enemy? Perhaps the only soldier revered on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, Richard Rowland Kirkland is arguably the most famous ÒcommonÓ soldier of the American Civil War. His act of compassion at the battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862 is both controversial and shrouded in mystery.
Although this act is well known, the rest of his story, along with that of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry is not. In addition to Fredericksburg, this Angel of MaryeÕs Heights was present at some of most fierce fighting of the war and most iconic locations: Henry House Hill at First Bull Run, the Dunker Church at Antietam, the Peach Orchard and Wheatfield at Gettysburg and Snodgrass Hill at Chickamauga.
For the first time, the true epic of Richard Kirkland is revealed. This is his tale of the struggle between darkness and light, of the fight to deny the overwhelming bloodshed from destroying that which makes us human.