This humorous series on the American War Between the States centers around two cavalrymen in the Union Army: Cornelius Chesterfield, a zealous and devoted sergeant, and Corporal Blutch, a reluctant soldier who is critical of authority and always tries to dodge yet another battle. This highly comical duo does what it can to escape the often obtuse military mindset, absurd orders and madness of war. In this volume, the sergeant obeys the captain for the first time and ends up in the Marines.