The Iron Game: A Tale of the War

Jack Sprague is a restless youth whose imagination is filled with the great battles of history. Expelled from college for a rebellious act, he carries the fire of West Point dreams and a longing for the battlefield into the turbulent years before the Civil War. As political tensions rise, his charismatic drive draws a small band of fellow students into a fierce, unofficial rivalry on campus.

When news of the first shots at Fort Sumter reaches the school, the campus splits into rival factions, and Jack finds himself thrust into the role of a would‑be commander. He rallies his friends, swearing a provisional oath and enlisting, while the looming conflict promises to test his ideals and courage. The story follows his early steps toward a military career, set against the charged atmosphere of a nation on the brink.