Escape from East Tennessee to the federal lines : The history, given as nearly as possible, by Captain R. A. Ragan of his individual experiences during the war of the rebellion from 1861 to 1864

A young man from the rolling hills of East Tennessee finds his loyalties tested as the nation tears itself apart. Born into a farming family and once a militia lieutenant‑colonel, he witnesses the ominous rise of Confederate symbols and the brutal treatment of those who dare to dissent. Faced with the choice between safety and conscience, he decides to rejoin the Union cause.

His account follows a harrowing trek through the Blue Ridge and across icy rivers, guided by a handful of brave local pilots who risked their lives to smuggle Union sympathizers to safety. The narrative captures the cold nights, the constant threat of capture, and the stark beauty of the Appalachian landscape, all rendered in clear, unadorned language that brings the era to life.

Beyond a personal memoir, the work offers a rare glimpse into the everyday struggles of East Tennessee’s Unionists, preserving the voices of those who quietly resisted and the hardships they endured in the early years of the war.