Super Short Summary

Red Cap by G. Clifton Wisler is a historical novel that follows Ransom J. Powell, a thirteen-year-old boy from Maryland who lies about his age to join the Union Army during the American Civil War. The story details his struggles as a drummer boy and his experiences with the harsh realities of war, including the loss of friends and the severe conditions of a Confederate prison camp. The book addresses the complex and brutal nature of war from a youth's perspective as Ransom navigates his desire to serve his country and the traumatic consequences that follow. The story includes depictions of violence and war-time suffering.