Following Texas' entry into the Civil War, Matthew Miller, a childhood friend of Elizabeth Denton, is required by none other than the renowned General Robert E. Lee to carry supplies to Confederate troops fighting along the Mason-Dixon line. Matt Miller is a veteran steamboat captain whose runs require treks along the Ohio River well into Pennsylvania where the Ohio runs through its namesake state and along the West Virginia-Pennsylvania western border before entering the Pittsburg area. On the way back from one of these voyages, Miller is severely injured and is found in his disguised clothes of a Union Captain. After being treated by Sarah Anders, the daughter of a medical doctor, Matt Miller survives what could have been a mortal wound. Sarah had learned about medicine by accompanying her papa on his calls from a young age after her mother's death. Sarah makes a trip to Matt's boat and discovers he has clothes onboard from the Confederacy, and must be a Rebel in disguise. Her papa's teachings about healing the sick present her with a problem-should she try to save this soldier of the South, or let him meet his fate? This happens after her papa's recent death on the battlefield while he tried to save others, making her decision more difficult. She uses her papa's lifelong teachings on healing and his discoveries of how to treat battle wounds to begin the healing process for Matt. His survival begins an arduous return to health and leaves him, and Sarah, with alternatives too hard for either to accept.