The story is told from the perspective of Mr. March, who is the father in Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women. In March, the story is told through his experiences as a battlefield chaplain during the Civil War.

In March’s opening scene, Mr. March composes a letter to his wife, Marmee. Despite the suffering around him, he attempts to assure Marmee that he is well. He notes the sky’s swirling colors that convey a “happy profusion” (3), and then makes known his “spousal longing” (4). As he writes the letter, he can see a burial party retrieving bodies. He finishes the letter and recalls a young soldier, Silas Stone, whose life he tried to save as they retreated from Confederate gunfire. To escape via the river, they dropped themselves from a tall rock formation.

They reached the river, but Stone couldn’t swim. Stone was hit by a bullet, and Mr. March tried to carry him through the river. However, Stone panicked and pulled Mr. March underwater. Stone’s mouth filled with water and the look on his face went blank. The current pushed him away from Mr. March, who watched the river carry him away.