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This book describes nine transplanted Poles who participated in the Civil War. They span three generations and are connected by culture, nationality and adherence to their principles and ideals. The common thread that runs through their lives the Polish White Eagle is that they came from a country that had basically disintegrated at the end of the previous century, yet they carried the concepts of freedom they inherited from their forefathers to the New World to which they immigrated. Once in America the pre-war political feuds, ferocious ensuing battles, captures, prison camp escapes and privations of war often in the words of the soldiers themselves are fully described. More highly trained in warfare than their American brethren and certainly more inured to struggles for nationhood the Poles made a more significant contribution to Civil war combat than is usually described.