THE strategy was sound. The plan: simple. His orders: breach the enemy lines by stealth and assassinate General Robert E. Lee at a designated time and place. If successful, his heroic deed would end the war and start the nation's healing process.

Captain Jonathan Westmoreland swore to tackle his new job to the best of his ability despite a private affinity for the great Confederate leader. But this job, unlike any other he had experienced, would require a trainload of luck, for waiting for him across the picket line were obstacles to hurdle in the form of enemy patrols, bad weather, renegades of the worst variety, and a horse soldier from Virginia who was renowned for his dedication to his duty. In fact, Major Matthew Gibson was the kind of man who would rather die than allow anyone to get close enough to snuff out the life of the South's most celebrated and beloved soldier…