This book follows the life of an Irish, orphan boy found on the streets of New York City about 1857. Johnny, among other children, were captured and placed in a facility on Randalls Island, New York for their protection. He was later transferred, by railroad on the Orphan train, to Princeton, IN where he was chosen by a gun-smith to help in his trade and at home. During the American Civil War, Johnny joined the service first at eleven years old and then again at age thirteen to serve to the end of the war. A veteran of the Civil War, Johnny mustered out of service at the age of fifteen.