When Stephen's father passes away in 1861, he and his mother and

  brother are left at the mercy of a cruel uncle. As the Civil War

   intensifies, Stephen's brother enlists to fight for the Union and help

    support the family. The war drags on and Stephen, an accomplished

     bugler in the town band, witnesses the sad consequences of slavery.

      The opportunity to enlist as Colonel Eli Lilly's personal bugler

       arises.  After surviving the Battle of Sulphur Branch Trestle in AL,

         Stephen is sent to a Confederate prison. The trials of prison life

          are severe but at war's end Stephen is sent home aboard the s

           teamboat Sultana.  However, disaster strikes and the ship

            becomes America's worst maritime disaster with 200 more lives

             lost than on the Titanic.

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