Loyalty and courage are put to the test when the Yankees attack on Christmas Day 1864. Willie and his destitute friends beg, steal, and scavenge from confederate soldiers of Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina to stay alive.To the boys' horror, they are caught in the bombardment of shot and shell. Even Henry Hoke, Willie's personal enemy turns to him for help. Willie builds a secret bunker in hopes that he and his friends can avoid being maimed...